In 2017, 12 members of the extended Husby family were enjoying a safari vacation in Tanzania. Little did they know that a chance encounter with a young man in a gift shop would lead to building a school. As events unfolded, a great family project evolved – Heart To Care Tanzania.
Listen as Bethany Husby tells the story in her own words:
HTCT logo
Heart to Care Tanzania is incorporated as a charity
Bethany wanted to help Emanuel Boaz and his brother-in-law build a school on their land. This looked like it might be a big project, so Bethany’s husband, Paul, did the paperwork to create a non-profit charity called Heart To Care Tanzania. The IRS granted approval on May 9, 2017 and the fund-raising for the school began.
Garden plants that will be divided for the plant sale
Turning plants into dollars
Bethany and Paul have a large yard with lots of plants. Fortunately, Bethany loves to garden. Twice before, the family divided plants and sold the remains for charity. Because Bethany works as a bone marrow transplant nurse, the first sale supported the Be The Match Foundation. The second sale was to help build a chapel at her hospital. Now it was time to sell plants to build a school in Africa.
View from above of the plant sale
Huge Success from plant sales
The Husbys had experience in organizing large plant sales, but they needed even greater results to build a school. Their first two plant sales in 2017 and 2018 helped fund much of the school’s construction. In 2019 the plants needed to rest and grow. Then in 2020, the Pandemic hit. However, it turned out that people stuck at home wanted to garden, and sales exceeded all expectations!
Educational signs at the plant sale
More than just plants
The plant sales gave the Husbys a chance to tell people about the school and show them photos. As a result, many became donors and some even sponsored students.
Just selling plants wasn’t quite enough! Along the way, the Husby’s son, Joe, created a website for Heart To Care Tanzania. He also created the means to provide professional newsletters. {Receive our newsletter updates!} [pic with J&B at the computer? or?]
Heart To Care Tanzania garden party
We try many things!
We’ve had other fundraisers too. Garden parties, for example. A breadmaking class. Even collecting used shoes! But our greatest support is through faithful donors. Whether it is a special project, or a needy child, they always come through!
Heart To Care Tanzania is still a family project. We have no hired staff and spend nothing on wages. All administrative expenses are donated by volunteers, so 100% of donations can go directly to help the school.
