Van for Our Driver Saitoti

Help us raise money to purchase a van for our driver!

Saitoti is one of the most humble and servant-hearted people we know. The very first time our team met him, he offered to clear out his bank account to help us pay for school books. Of course, we were going to pay him back, but we weren't able to convert money that day because the bank was closed. We were complete strangers, but the trust he had in us instantly made us feel like family.

Over the years, that trust grew stronger and we continued to learn about Saitoti's character. From helping his neighbors in need to giving the shirt off his back, he was always willing to give all of himself to meet the needs of those around him.

On this most recent trip to Tanzania, we were able to learn a little bit more about his story. In the picture above, you see Saitoti and his family standing in front of the gate to their home. Saitoti shared with us that he purchased the land for his home in 2008. He continued to save and work tirelessly to provide for his family, including the rent they had to pay at their current house and the school fees for his children. He shared about the struggles he went through trying to provide for his family. However, in 2020, he was finally able to put a building on his land. The joy in his eyes and the pride he had for his home, which is still unfinished, was such an incredible reminder to us, to be thankful for each of the blessings we have in our own lives. 

One of the ways Saitoti makes income is through crops. Unfortunately, due to a lack of rain this year, his crops did not grow and his family continues to struggle to pay for the overwhelming cost of school fees. As an incredible and trustworthy driver, he is often hired by tourists to drive them in Tanzania. Specifically for our team, he has to rent a van to drive our team, to which we recently found out that he only gets a small portion of what we pay, equating to just $15 a day (usually from about 8am-6pm). 

Our team had the idea that if we were able to provide Saitoti with a van, how much more would he be able to not only provide for his family but be able to share the gospel with those he provides rides to? This van would be used much more than just to provide for himself, but given his selfless nature, we know it would be used to take people to church, provide rides for neighbors, and minister to those in his community. Therefore, our team has set a goal for $15,000 to purchase a van to help Saitoti. We would sincerely appreciate any amount you would consider donating, as it will be a blessing to more than just this man. It would be a blessing to the entire city of Arusha.