A Fresh Start, a Stronger Future: The Start Strong Initiative

Sometimes love looks like showing up with a paintbrush, getting covered in dust, and spending your day repairing a classroom for children you have only just met.

Last summer, two teams came to Tanzania and did exactly that. I am so grateful for every person who gave their time, raised the money to come, and put their hands to work.

They came ready to serve, and together they helped us begin something we are excited to keep building: the Start Strong Initiative.

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More Than a Fresh Coat of Paint

It is hard to explain what some of these classrooms feel like until you stand inside one.

Dingy, crumbling walls. Broken surfaces. Chalkboards so worn that the chalk barely sticks anymore. Rooms that feel dark and closed in, where children are expected to focus, learn, and imagine a future.

I have stood in those spaces and thought, “How do we expect these children to feel excited about learning here?” It kind of feels like a cave to be honest.

The teachers are trying. The children are showing up. But the environment makes an already challenging job even harder. We want to help change that. We want children to walk into their classrooms and feel that someone cared enough to prepare a good place for them. A place where they can see the board, focus on a lesson, and feel proud of their school.

A classroom can help communicate something every child needs to hear: You are important. Your education matters. Your future is worth investing in.

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To Our Two Teams: Thank You

To the two teams who came last summer, I hope you know how much your work meant.

You gave up time at home, traveled a long way, and stepped into the work in front of you. You repaired, painted, and helped turn tired classrooms into fresher, more welcoming spaces.

You brought energy and willing hands. You worked through the dust and the mess, and you stayed with the job when it was tiring.

I loved watching people use what they had to offer. Some came with experience. Others learned as they went. Together, you helped make a difference that children and teachers could see when they walked through the door.

Thank you for being willing.

We Have More to Do

We have made a start, and now we want to keep going.

Our goal is to continue the repairs and renovations needed to finish our first school. God willing, we also hope to begin helping a second school this coming summer.

We are taking it step by step, working with the schools and doing what we can with the people and resources available.

There is always more to do, but I look at what has already changed and feel encouraged to take the next step. There are more classrooms we can help restore and more children who could benefit from a fresh place to learn.

Come Be Part of It

Maybe you can paint. Maybe you know how to repair a wall, fix something broken, or organize a workday. Maybe you have never done any of those things, but you are willing to learn. There is room for you. You can join a team, help provide materials, give toward the work, or introduce the Start Strong Initiative to your church or business.

For me, this project is one practical way to put love into action: seeing a need, gathering people, and putting our hands to work.

I would love for you to be part of what comes next.

Help us finish our first school and, God willing, begin serving a second school this summer. Contact Base Camp Missions to learn how you can join a team or support the Start Strong Initiative.

To everyone who helped us begin, thank you. You have given us something wonderful to build on.

With love,

Jill