Shinda.org

Shinda Basic School is a child organization of RafikiTrust a non-profit established in the out-skirts of Arusha, in Tanzania for the purpose of providing education to the residents of Sokoni I and the neighboring communities, bringing health and environmental awareness, and work with government and other non-governmental agencies in improving the quality of education to this area of Arusha.

Shinda Basic School and RafikiTrust started as a vision from the late Mr. Pasian L. Kimaro (1946-1996) in 1997, Mr. Kimaro, his family and dedicated friends, has since been the key source of inspiration and motivation for the existance and progress of this organization despite many many set backs that would have made many quit or abandon the bright vision all together.

Through some financial support from the late Mr. Kimaro's former Swahili students, Rafiki Trust purchased a piece of land and started the first elementary school in 2000. Shinda Basic School was born to accept children from age 4-12 most of them had never been in a school before.

Operating in a single building which saved as a class and accomodation Mr. Kimaro was able to enroll for the first time 90 students. This was a great number to accomodate for this small class room and one man to teach. Rafiki Trust had to seek help and support from outside sources, luckily, Shinda Basic School received international volunteers who were also Mr. Kimaro's former Swahili students who helped in teaching and raise funds for purchase of an extra piece of land, contruction of a classroom and provide books for the first library at the school. Shinda Basic School is dedicated to providing these young children of Tanzania an opportunity to education which to many seems as an imaginable dream.

Dispite the many setback the Shinda Basic continues to face, in 2008 the first Standard VII graduated will all but two students being selected for secondary schools.  Shinda Basic and the community is very proud of this achievement, but our struggle to provide quality education at affordable prices continue.

We hope you will take some time as you read though the pages of our website, to think of ways to help us in reaching our goals, through in kind donations financially and materially, volunteering and becoming an ambassador for our vision.