Operation Bootstrap-Africa

Educational Operating Grants and Scholarships: *Operation Bootstrap Africa's largest program is the MaaSAE Girls Secondary School (MGLSS) in Monduli, Tanzania. Student sponsorships provide funding for the education of 267 students at this residential school. In its 28th year, the school continues to provide an opportunity for pastoralist and semi-nomadic girls to be educated in a safe and nurturing environment. A monthly grant to the school supports teacher and staff salaries, food, textbooks, utilities, and other necessary expenses. *Additional scholarship funds were provided for students attending the following institutions: Moringe Sokoine Secondary School in Monduli, Tanzania, Nazarene University, Kitambolu Secondary School in Arusha, Tanzania, Bassodawish school in the Karatu region of Tanzania, Step by Step School, Unambwe Secondary School, Michaud Secondary school, Fransalian Hekima Secondary School, and Kiyoora High School in Ntungamo, Uganda. *In Madagascar a grant was provided to pay teacher salaries at five primary schools in the rural South. These teachers taught more than 1,500 students in one of the most impoverished areas of the country. *Primary school scholarships were given to 75 children at Best School Academy in Bunuku, Kenya *Scholarships were granted to 21 Primary, Secondary, and Post-Secondary students at Eripoto Safe House in Arusha. *Scholarships were provided for 3 pre-school children and 15 Post-Secondary students at the Courage House in Moshi. * Specialty training scholarships in nursing were granted to 4 qualified staff members at the ALMC School of Nursing.

Nutrition: * Lunch programs for students experiencing hunger because of drought or lack of family resources were continued or established at Olchoki Primary School, Ilboru Special Needs School, and five Malagasy schools.

Post-Secondary Education and Leadership Development: *The OBA post-secondary program provides scholarships for graduates of the MaaSAE Girls School through sponsor support. This year, 84 MGLSS graduates pursued degrees at colleges, universities, and vocational schools in Tanzania with scholarships through Operation Bootstrap Africa. 6 graduates of other secondary schools also received post-secondary scholarships. *Fourteen students at the Arusha Lutheran Medical Center School of Nursing each received a scholarship of $1,000 - $1,500 to help defray the high cost of nursing training.

Healthcare and Health Education: *Grants were provided to the Arusha Lutheran Medical Centre School of Nursing to subsidize the high cost of nursing education. Grants were also provided to Empowered Girls, a non-profit partner that provided menstrual care training and products to multiple school projects in Tanzania including: the Plaster House, MGLSS, Moringe Sokoine, and Olchoki Primary School.

Construction and Special Projects at Schools in East Africa: *Funding was provided for numerous primary and secondary school projects, including: supplies for a monthly Lunch Program at Olchoki Primary School and 5 separate Malagasy Schools, two brand new schools in Madagascar, a rural hospital nutrition program, and a strong room for the ALMC School of Nursing. *Funds were also provided for Teacher's Housing renovation at MGLSS. *Funding was provided to construct a Girl's Dormitory at Masange Juu Secondary School in the Lushoto region of Tanzania. *Funding was provided to Hyrac Tech for IT services provided at the ALMC School of Nursing, as well as training and development for some of the teachers in the computer lab.

Cultural Education and Exchange: *OBA staff members led tours of their projects in Northern Tanzania in October 2022 and July 2023 to gain a better understanding of the work and foster connections with the communities with whom they partner.

Long Term Development Projects: * Operation Bootstrap Africa granted the Maasai Girls School a salary for their farm manager. Other funds were also sent for cattle, as well as seeds and equipment. * Grants were provided for teachers at 5 different schools to attend a training at ECHO, a nonprofit with an impact center in Arusha that focuses on sustainable agriculture and practices. All teachers were instructed on how to grow drought resistant crops and to care for them in longevity. * Funds were also provided for Tanzania Advanced Agriculture, which provides microloans and training for sustainable agriculture all throughout Tanzania.