Our History

The history of the Foundation for African Empowerment (FAE) traces back to the life of  Mfanga’s younger sister. From 1991, his younger sister who was in standard two developed unknown illness and became disabled. Although, she had the ability to continue with schooling, there was no school within the village and its proximity that could accommodate her. She stayed at home and passed on.

The life story of his younger sister and high number of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) out of school in Tanzania  inspired Mfanga to establish the FAE with the aim of helping most marginalized children including those with SEND to access education and other rights. He believes that an approach which address six critical areas is the key towards ending child poverty and exclusion of children with SEND in the mainstream education and is the foundation for building a better world for all children and young people. Education access is not only a human right but also a powerful tool that will lead to positive development outcomes for marginalized children including those with SEND and their families and communities.

Between 2001 and 2009, Mfanga developed his skills in public policy-oriented socioeconomic research at the Economic and Social Research Foundation and later the Young Citizens empowerment program at the Harvard University Medical School. Through these experiences, he gained firsthand insight on skill building empowerment of young people including those with SEND and its positive outcomes on the children and the society in general. He is now applying his passion, experiences and knowledge to advance the rights of marginalized children including access to disability inclusive education in Tanzania.

Ending child poverty and education exclusion for children with SEND in under-resourced country is complex and challenging. FAE is committed to achieving this goal by fostering and promoting effective partnerships between multiple partners including the families, communities, individual philanthropists, the private sector, local governments, research and academic institutions, and other development partners. As the Executive Director, Mfanga has been working with great passion and energy alongside FAE’s leadership towards a shared goal of making FAE one of the most effective and efficient organizations in terms of advancing the rights of the most marginalized children. “Service to humanity is worship to God, this I believe”.

Mfanga was born and raised in Arusha, Tanzania. He and his wife have four children: Emily, Benedict, Gloriana and Anthony. They currently reside in Arusha.

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