Expanding JBFC's Impact

Editor's Note: Completing the three-part series of what JBFC's Executive Assistant, US Expansion Coordinator, and Founder and CEO found most exciting on their trip to Tanzania last month, Chris Gates discusses a visit to the site of JBFC's second campus. 

Right now, it’s a blank piece of land. There are a few small trees, mounds of rocks, and some “key lines” which lay the framework for our permaculture farm. But, even though it may seem like nothing right now, for me, it is one of the most exciting things happening at JBFC right now. In a little area called Kahunda, in the district of Buchosa, lies the site for JBFC’s second campus.


This year, JBFC is breaking ground on our second campus after several years of planning. As we were driving through the villages leading up to the site, I couldn’t help but think back to when our Kitongo campus was just a blank piece of land. High grasses and tons of bushes, no roads, no buildings. But, just a little more than a decade later, there are dozens of buildings and the JBFC-Kitongo campus serves as a hub for an entire area. Hundreds of children and staff come in and out of the campus day in and day out, there is a nice road that leads all the way to the village center, and the houses in the area have seen a massive transformation, as well. What was once an area that had predominately grass roofs is littered with tin roofs and more solid structures- a major improvement in the livelihoods for our families.

And, that is the same change that is going to be taking place in this new area. While we were at the new site, we took measurements for a new bridge so that in the future, a road that was once impassable in rains will always be usable for farmers wanting to take their crops to market and mothers wanting to get their sick children to a hospital. We were able to plan out what trees and livestock we want on this site, so it can be profitable for our organization while also serving as a living classroom for our neighboring farmers. And, we were able to talk to a couple of villagers about their excitement for a school, closer access to healthcare, and a partner who could help their entire community. It was inspiring and got me excited for the next phase of our organization.

Of course, it is always exhilarating to see our students, staff and residential girls when we visit Tanzania, but now, we know that the type of successes they see regularly at Kitongo are going to be possible for hundreds more children and families in Kahunda!

We are excited to unveil our plans for our second campus at this year's Spring fundraiser. There is still time to purchase tickets for this special event.

Click here to purchase tickets to Tanzanite Nights 2017!

Chris Gates is JBFC's Founder and CEO

Bringing The Classroom To Life

Editor's Note: To continue with last week's blog regarding updates to our flagship campus, this week's blog focuses on the developments and improvements made to JBFC's Science Lab. US Expansion Coordinator, Travis Purser, writes about the last time he laid eyes on the science lab and his excitement about the future of education for our Joseph and Mary students.

The screams of excitement from familiar voices, sounds of waves and the glowing night skies are irreplaceable. Even the annoying sounds from the mosquitoes and lake flies’ wings fill me with joy in my return to my other home. Everyone says ‘there’s no place like home’, but what do you say when you have two homes? Going to JBFC is never a vacation or trip, it is returning home. However, even after spending nearly two years at JBFC, every time I return I am constantly surprised with new things that have developed on campus.


Before I left in 2015, a new science lab was being constructed for Joseph and Mary’s Form 4 graduates, in order for them to complete the necessary practical experiments required for the national exam. The original science lab, an open area with multiple windows and walls decorated by paintings of the periodic table and colorfully filled chemistry beakers, had only one table in the entire room. A far-cry from the picture you see today.






Today, the entire room is filled with sink holding, granite topped tables, Bunsen Burners and every type of chemical equipment a high school could ask for, much less a rural Tanzanian school. I sat in on a couple labs in my most recent trip and had the chance to watch Mr. Mikera (pronounced Mr. Mikela) demonstrate an experiment to a class of wide-eyed students. He poured one clear liquid into a beaker filled with another clear liquid, and the beaker turned pink. The amazement and pure fascination displayed on the student’s faces gave me a smile, and then subtle tears. I knew what that room was before and what it was meant for, but nothing prepared me to see first hand what that room was actually doing.


To further add to the education experience that JBFC offers its students, JBFC has constructed a new set of classrooms, which will be home to a VETA (Vocational Education Tanzania Authority) program. Here, we will teach and educate students in hotel management, accounting, English, computer fundamentals and basic business strategies. Upon completion of the two-year program, graduates will receive a certificate in Hotel Administration. This will be a wonderful option for students who may not have the opportunity to go on to Advanced Secondary for Form 5.

Seeing the original plans and ideas for the science lab and all of the dreams JBFC had for hands-on learning come to fruition only validates my excitement for what the future of JBFC will entail.

Guest Blogger, Travis Purser, is JBFC's US Expansion Coordinator. 

Campus Revisited Four Years Later

Editor’s Note: Last week, JBFC Founder and CEO, Chris Gates, Executive Assistant, Amanda Winge, and US Expansion Coordinator, Travis Purser, returned from a two-week trip back to JBFC’s flagship campus in Tanzania. This was the first time back for all three in many months (and years in Amanda’s case). While some things never change, like the excitement and joy of seeing the residential girls, students, and staff, there were also many big noteworthy changes on campus which we feel we need to share!

This was my first trip back to Tanzania since 2013 when I worked as the Guest Coordinator on campus for 5 months during the summer. It was thrilling to see how much the girls have grown in the last four years, and I was so touched that they even remembered little jokes that we had from back then. I was also really happy to see so many of the staff members again. One thing I can say about Tanzanians is that no matter how long you’ve been away, they will welcome you back with open arms and treat you as if they saw you just yesterday! Even the residential girls who have been added to Bibi Mimi’s home since I left in 2013 acted as if they had known me for years. There are no such things as strangers on campus!

While I couldn’t get over how tall some of the girls were or how mature they looked now, one of the most striking moments for me was seeing the campus in the daylight on our first morning. Talk about changes! Areas where guests helped plant plants and mulch in 2013 are now totally taken over by huge producing plants. It’s actually difficult to see certain livestock pens and views of buildings because the plants are so tall. Bananas trees, pomegranate trees, pepper plants, rows upon rows of lettuce (just to name a few), and kale have totally taken over large parts of the farm. And goodness is there so much kale. While JBFC first introduced permaculture on the JBFC farm in 2012 and I could see some of early results during the summer of 2013, the farm has truly flourished these past few years and it's great to see all of the produce being used in the dining halls and know that our students, residential girls, and staff are truly receiving farm fresh, nutritious meals.

Seth Diemond, JBFC’s Chief Operating Officer in Tanzania sends our US team weekly highlights from campus, and while he has mentioned how much produce continues to be harvested from the farm every month, reading about the amount of produce and seeing it with your own eyes are two very different things. The farm staff continue to do an excellent job maintaining the farm using the skills they have learned in the various permaculture seminars.

Another big change to the face of campus are the buildings. I remember groups of volunteers helping re-build Papa’s café in 2013 when Lake Victoria started to overtake the original building along the shore. The new Papa’s café is beautiful, the staff is well trained, and the food remains incredible! In addition to Papa’s, there is now an administrative building which was just a foundation and pile of rocks when I left. Now, JBFC staff members are able to work and hold meetings in their offices near the secondary school, and will soon be able to watch students coming and going when the neighboring VETA classroom opens its doors in the Fall. Several buildings have received some facelifts (the girls’ dorms, for example, received new glass windows), and it was great to see fresh coats of paint in many classrooms.

It was so thrilling to see all of the amazing changes on our flagship campus, and I can’t wait to return! 

Guest Blogger, Amanda Winge, is JBFC's Executive Assistant.