Faraja Primary School marks 25 years serving children with disabilities in Tanzania

Faraja Primary School is celebrating 25 years as Tanzania’s first residential primary school for children with physical disabilities, with an 18th graduation set for Sept. 13, 2026. The school near Mount Kilimanjaro has expanded from 15 students to more than 100 a year, pairing education with healthcare, therapy and rehabilitation for children in rural communities.

Why it matters: - Faraja Primary School has filled a gap in Tanzania’s education system for children with physical disabilities. - The school combines schooling with healthcare, rehabilitation and support services that are often unavailable in rural areas. - Alumni outcomes show the model can change long-term education, work and independence prospects for students with disabilities.

What happened: - Faraja Primary School is celebrating 25 years of service near Mount Kilimanjaro. - The school was founded in 2001 by Don and Joann Tolmie of Rock Island, Illinois. - Faraja is Tanzania’s first residential primary school dedicated to serving children with physical disabilities. - The school is the only institution in the Kilimanjaro region offering this full mix of services. - Faraja Fund Foundation will support the school’s 18th graduation ceremony on Sept. 13, 2026. - Sixteen students will receive diplomas at the ceremony.

The details: - Faraja began with 15 students and now serves more than 100 children each year. - The school serves children from some of Tanzania’s poorest villages. - The Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church donated the land and oversees the school’s operations. - The school provides on-campus housing, modern classrooms and nutritious meals. - Services include physical and occupational therapy, orthopedic and medical care, assistive devices, computer education and psychosocial support. - Faraja’s campus now includes a library, indoor and outdoor therapy facilities, computer laboratories and dormitories. - The school has consistently ranked among Tanzania’s top-performing primary schools. - Graduates go on to secondary school, vocational training, colleges and universities. - A recent survey of 200 Faraja alumni found that 42% are self-employed. - Other alumni work as nurses, welders, social workers, IT professionals, accountants, educators and healthcare providers. - One graduate, Emmanuel Makala, completed studies at Faraja in 2012 and later earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Kairuki University in Dar es Salaam.

Between the lines: - UNICEF data cited in the release says about 29 million children live with disabilities in Eastern and Southern Africa, including more than 600,000 in Tanzania. - The scale of disability, stigma and inaccessible schools leaves many children hidden away and out of class. - Faraja’s approach is designed to remove both educational and physical barriers at the same time. - The school’s growth and campus expansion reflect sustained support from donors, sponsors and volunteers in the United States, Tanzania, Germany, the United Kingdom and elsewhere. - Don and Joann Tolmie died in 2020 and 2022, but the family and supporter network has continued the work.

What's next: - Faraja’s milestone year will center on its Sept. 13 graduation ceremony. - The school will continue relying on sponsorships and donations to fund operations, student support and equipment. - Leaders and supporters are framing the anniversary as part of a broader effort to expand opportunity for children with disabilities in Tanzania.

The bottom line: - Faraja Primary School’s 25-year run shows how one residential school can reshape access, mobility and future prospects for children with disabilities in a country where those opportunities are still limited. - Faraja Primary School B-roll