One Kid at a Time
Sustainable Service Learning – One Kid at a Time (OKAT), founded in 2014, was created to provide sustainable support for orphaned and vulnerable children in Tanzania—especially those facing hardship due to the death of a parent or abandonment by a caregiver. Many of these children arrive straight from the hospital after birth or are found abandoned at very young ages.
From birth to age five, these children are cared for at the Upendo Orphanage. Upendo means “Love.” Upendo is run by the Sisters of the Precious Blood, whose mission includes caring for children and the poor. At Upendo, the children receive safety, nurturing, and the stability needed during their earliest formative years.
In the past, once the children turned five, limited resources meant they were separated and sent to various facilities across the country—disrupting the only sense of family they had. OKAT was established to change this. We provide a dedicated Children’s Home where the children can move after age five, remain together, and continue receiving consistent, loving support as they grow.
Upendo protects and nurtures them from ages 0–5.
OKAT ensures they continue to thrive beyond age 5.
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Dr. Lioba Moshi
Chair, Board of Directors
Meet the Team
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Dr. Lioba Moshi
BOARD CHAIR
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Christa Deissler
ASSISTANT BOARD CHAIR
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Kathleen Harris
BOARD SECRETARY
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Hellen Mwangoka
BOARD TREASURER
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Maria Blanchard
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE CHAIR
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Dr. Alexandra Wright
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
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Freda Scott Giles
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
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Todd Ferry
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
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Dr. Tori Vratanina-Smoot
ADVISORY MEMBER
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Dr. Arthur N. Dunning, PhD
ADVISORY MEMBER
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Karen Baynes-Dunning
ADVISORY MEMBER
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Rev Dr. Avis Williams
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE