Hi everyone!

My name is Barbara, and I’m thrilled to welcome you to this special crowdfunding campaign. Just like the story within these pages, I’ll keep this introduction short and sweet!

During my time in Arusha, Tanzania, working closely with the SonTa Foundation—an education-focused NGO—I couldn’t help but notice the lack of representation of African children, particularly girls, in classroom materials. It became clear to me that addressing issues of inclusivity and equality of race, gender, or economic conditions, was not just important locally, but globally. 

Inspired by the resilience and determination of the children I worked with, I knew their stories deserved to be told. And so, the tale of two Tanzanian girls, Nia and Jamila, who exemplify the power of friendship, equality, and unity, began to take shape.

Authored by myself and illustrated by the talented team at Geno Kids with minimised costs as a part of a charity campaign, this project is more than just a book. It’s a mission—to ensure that every child, regardless of background, sees themselves reflected in the stories they read, as well as to donate 100% of the profits towards the education of impoverished children of Tanzania.

There is no specific fundraising goal for this campaign because every contribution counts towards supporting the children of Arusha . Your generosity will directly impact their education and well-being, so no matter the amount, every donation is deeply appreciated.

The funds will be distributed among the students age 7-14 being supported by the SonTa Foundation and their families; more specifically for school equipment, food and water distribution, and for some of our students that have extremely harsh living conditions, we hope to relieve them by supporting them with mattresses to sleep on or other necessary living supplies.

As a token of our gratitude for your support, every donation, regardless of size, will receive a complimentary e-book version of "Together We Can Reach the Stars" in PDF format. Simply provide your email or contact information when donating, and we'll ensure you receive your copy as a heartfelt thank you for helping us make a difference in the lives of these children.

1. Education as Foundation: Education serves as the cornerstone of our foundation's mission. Many families in Arusha struggle to make ends meet, surviving on as little as $30 a month for a family of five. This means they often cannot afford private education for their children, leading to enrollment in under-resourced public schools. Unfortunately, these schools face challenges such as overcrowded classrooms and limited resources, resulting in decreased interest, learning difficulties, and high dropout rates. To address this, our foundation has established a school that not only offers extracurricular English classes but also provides essential food and water supplies. Every donation directly impacts the lives of these children, ensuring they receive the education and support they deserve.

2. Character Development: Beyond academics, we aimed to instill values of kindness, compassion, equality, and respect in the children we serve—values that are at the heart of the story told in "Together We Can Reach the Stars." Through our programs and initiatives, we nurture these qualities in our students, empowering them to become compassionate leaders and positive contributors to their communities.

3. Representation Matters: Every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. Just as I cherished dolls that resembled me when I was a child, I believe that access to diverse and inclusive literature is essential for children worldwide. By providing stories like "Together We Can Reach the Stars," we not only inspire a love for reading but also foster a sense of belonging and empowerment among young readers. Our hope is that through representation, children will feel encouraged to explore, learn, and dream without limitations.

Our ability to make a meaningful impact through this campaign hinges on the generosity of donors like you. The extent of support we can provide to underprivileged children in Arusha relies on the number of donations received.

Ensuring 100% transparency is paramount to us. While we strive to maximize the impact of every donation, it's important to be transparent about the fact that our ability to help is directly tied to the funds raised. Rest assured that we will provide full transparency regarding how donations are utilized and the impact they have on the lives of the children we serve.

Your kindness extends far beyond financial contributions. Simply sharing our campaign with your friends and family can make a world of difference. Every share, like, and mention helps us spread hope and awareness for the children of Arusha. 

You are also invited to keep up with @sontafoundation on social media!

If you're interested in a physical copy of the book, it's available on Amazon for $13.99. While Amazon takes a significant commission, rest assured that $4.19 of the purchase will still directly benefit the children.

Your support, whether through sharing or purchasing, is a beacon of light in their lives.

Thank you for being a part of this journey of compassion and generosity.