Program overview
Sponsors are matched with children from families in Arusha, Tanzania, who are living in poverty. Our Selfless Sponsor Program gives these children access to high-performing private schools and healthcare services. We also provide the children we sponsor with comprehensive psychosocial support and care so they can develop into critical thinkers, problem-solvers, and good citizens. The fundamental purpose of the program is to empower them to break free from the vicious cycle of poverty and to mold them into leaders who will empower others to do the same.
225+
Students Currently
Served
50
Current Primary-Level and Older Students Not Fully Sponsored
$1
Sponsorship Options
Start at $1 a Day
Sponsor a child
Sponsoring a child is a multi-year commitment. We are looking for sponsors who can reasonably commit to walking alongside the child and their family throughout their entire academic and developmental journey (through secondary school), creating a lasting impact and breaking the cycle of poverty through education.
Selfless Solutions serves more than 225 students in Arusha. Fifty current primary-level and older students are not fully sponsored. Ongoing sponsorship helps cover education, school materials, health insurance, testing and student support.
Start at $1 a day. Choose monthly or annual sponsorship.
- $365 per year: $1 a day
- $730 per year: $2 a day
- $1,095 per year: $3 a day and full sponsorship of one child
Sponsorship is an ongoing commitment that helps a child continue learning year after year.
Not ready for an ongoing sponsorship? Make a one-time gift and select Selfless Sponsor Program in the “Donate To” field.
What to expect as a sponsor
After becoming a sponsor through the form below, we’ll match you with the next eligible child on our list and send you their name, background, and photo. Although we can take requests, it is our STRONG preference to match sponsors with the next eligible child based upon our internal policies and procedures.
Once matched, we’ll update you on the child’s progress twice per year, after each academic term (December and June). If you sign up for our emails, you’ll receive periodic updates about us and the Selfless Sponsor Program.
If you wish to connect more deeply with the child and family you’re supporting, our team can exchange communications/letters, organize video calls, and more (within our team’s safeguarding policies). You only have to ask!
Additionally, as Arusha is the tourism capital of Tanzania, we can help arrange a visit to our life-changing projects, where you can meet the child and family you support.
Our Unique Sponsorship Model
How the 90/10 Model Works
90% - Selfless Solutions
We cover 90% of the costs of the child’s education, including tuition, health insurance, and extra support. This enables the children to access high-performing private schools that their families previously couldn’t afford.
10% - Family (and/or Community)
The family commits to contributing approximately 10% of the total costs through a combination of monetary and in-kind contributions. This demonstrates that the family values the sponsorship opportunity and will do their best to make the most of it.
Why This Model Works
Shared Responsibility
Families are not passive recipients but active participants in their child’s future, making it a more impactful model for development.
Long-Term Sustainability
Not only do the family contributions help sustain the program financially, they also strengthen the connection between the program and the community it serves.
Accountability
Since the families are contributing, they make sure our program and its staff deliver on “what they are paying for”.
Meet our kids
Mohammed Abeid
age 13“We love you our sponsors because you love us too, we like to send this message to all of you. All of us love you so much and we were asking to come and visit us.”
Neema Wilfred
age 12“We love you our sponsors because you brought us to a good school, you provide us with opportunity, you love us. We appreciate it and Thank You.”
Abigael Joas
age 6“Thank You for giving us an opportunity.”
These are just a few of the children whose lives are being changed thanks to the generosity of sponsors like you. Your support doesn’t just provide school fees – it opens doors to a future full of possibilities.
Want to sponsor a child like Mohammed, Neema, or Abigael?
Transparency you can trust
Here’s a breakdown of how your sponsorship is used*
* The breakdown shown is the approximate cost per child through primary school graduation. We plan to continue sponsoring the students through secondary school as well, but the exact costs are still being finalized pending negotiations with the schools. The actual breakdown for each child each year will vary somewhat based upon the child’s grade level, their specific family situation, and foreign exchange rates. Any funds “saved” on the items shown will remain in the Selfless Sponsor Fund to be used for the general benefit of the program and all the students it serves.
| Cost category | Amount (TZS) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 1,600,000 | $667 |
| Health insurance | 71,000 | $30 |
| School materials | 150,000 | $63 |
| Standardized test & prep fees | 50,000 | $21 |
| Extra support & initiatives | 264,000 | $110 |
| Field trips | 100,000 | $42 |
| Total costs | 2,235,000 | $931 |
| Sponsorship | - | $1,095 |
| Total to Selfless Sponsor Fund | - | $931 |
| Total to Unrestricted Fund | - | $164 |
Explanation of expenses
Tuition
Tuition fees are the backbone of a child’s education. They cover the cost of attending school, which includes the teachers’ salaries, classroom resources, school meals, and facilities.
Health Insurance
Health insurance ensures that the child has access to medical care when needed. It covers basic health check-ups and any emergencies that may arise, ensuring their well-being throughout their educational journey.
School Materials
School materials include books, stationery, and any other supplies necessary for learning. These resources are essential for students to actively participate in their lessons and complete assignments.
Standardized Test & Prep Fees
Standardized testing is required by the government of Tanzania to proceed between grade levels. These fees ensure that the children are able to take these exams, and it also covers exam preparation to ensure that they complete them successfully.
Extra Support & Initiatives
This includes tutoring, extracurricular activities, and psychosocial support. These initiatives help students who require special attention and support.
Field Trips
Field trips enrich a child’s education by providing real-world experiences related to their studies. Schools in Tanzania do this annually with all students, but without the contribution, our sponsees won’t be able to join their peers.
Unrestricted Funds
15% of all sponsorship money collected is transferred to the Selfless Unrestricted Fund. This fund is used by Selfless Solutions to cover the costs of our support staff in Tanzania, who help to keep our organization running smoothly and growing. Building this fund allows us to be adaptable and responsive to the real-time needs of our beneficiaries. It also gives us the ability to invest in strategic initiatives that will allow our organization to remain strong far into the future, as well as expand our programming to generate even more opportunities for the people of Tanzania.
We do not accept sponsors who wish to withhold contributions to the Selfless Unrestricted Fund. This is because we have learned that our work is unsustainable without it. If we do not invest in our organization in Tanzania as a whole, eventually there won’t be a Selfless Sponsor Program, as we will not be able to employ our dedicated team members in Tanzania who look after the kids.
We've got you covered
We know that sponsoring a child is a big commitment – and a meaningful one. Below are answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If you still have questions or would like to talk with us more before proceeding, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team via email at sponsor@selflesssolutions.org and we will reach out to you as soon as we possibly can!
How do you choose the children for sponsorship?
We only sponsor students that we enroll at Selfless Nursery School in the Sing’isi Village of Arusha, Tanzania. Each year, families apply for one of the 25 available spots at our nursery school’s baby class, though sometimes the village leaders refer children to us. We then perform a rigorous screening and needs assessment process that involves home visits and multiple references from the community. From there, we select the 25 children that still qualify and are deemed to have the highest need.
What happens after a child finishes Selfless Nursery School?
Once students complete their time at Selfless Nursery School, they are enrolled at Renea Primary School in Arusha, a high-performing private primary school that we have a deep partnership with. Upon graduation from Renea Primary, the sponsorship will hopefully continue all the way until the child has enrolled in university, vocational training, or has started working. The program is designed to walk with the children from the time they are in Baby Class all the way until they are fully independent and self-reliant.
Can I communicate with the child I sponsor?
Absolutely! As described above, we are more than happy to facilitate additional communication outside of the bi-annual updates we send out to all sponsors. All you have to do is ask and we will happily set up a video call or exchange letters or other communications between you and the child you sponsor.
Where does my money go?
The majority of your contribution goes directly to cover educational costs such as tuition, school supplies, healthcare, and student support. A small portion supports our on-the-ground team in Tanzania and long-term organizational sustainability – full details are available in our sponsor fee breakdown above.
Is my sponsorship tax-deductible?
Selfless Solutions is a registered 501(c)(3) organization in the United States, so donations are tax-deductible for U.S. residents. We are also an officially registered international organization in Tanzania. We are more than happy to provide a donation receipt after your contribution is processed, though it likely will not be tax-deductible in your home country. If your contribution is contingent on tax deduction, please let us know, as we have partner organizations in other countries that might be able to process your donation on our behalf.
What if I can’t continue my sponsorship?
Although we try to avoid this situation, we understand that life can change unexpectedly. Therefore, if you need to pause or stop your sponsorship, we ask for as much notice as possible so we can ensure the child’s education remains uninterrupted. We’ll work with you to find the best possible solution.
Real Stories, Real Impact
Julie and Steve Caro
United States of America
“We sponsor children through Selfless Solutions because we trust that the founders and leadership are using our money wisely for the good of the children and families in Arusha. Our goal is to help give the students an opportunity for a quality education so they can have a more successful, productive life.”
Lisa Wolf
United States of America
“I enjoy getting the updates on Godlisten’s progress as well as the photos. I am very excited to see firsthand the benefits that Selfless Solutions provides to the community when I travel to Tanzania in June 2025. I am excited for the opportunity to meet Godlisten and his family while I am there.”
Sara Toft
Denmark
“It is important to me that the choice to sponsor is not about pity, but rather compassion for other people’s dreams and visions. This is precisely what becomes evident with Selfless Solutions. They are committed to ensuring that everything is done on local and community-driven terms, always prioritizing personal development and respecting the unique journey each individual is on. By prioritizing a highly skilled local team, Selfless Solutions also contributes to advancing the social sustainability agenda, which I believe is crucial to break free from ‘White Saviourism’. Passing the torch to locals and listening to those who receive support is the way forward, and the only way to break the unequal power dynamics that otherwise exist in this field.”
Laura Aalund Bjerregaard Sørensen
Denmark
“I would say the reasons I choose to sponsor Selfless Solutions are that I trust Pat and the rest of the team to organise the funds and that the kids are their main focus and priority! The better organisation of funds, especially in Tanzania, equals more resources for the kids, which indeed is my main concern!”
Sponsor a Future.
Change a Life.
You’ve seen the stories. You understand the impact. Now is your chance to take action!
Your sponsorship not only supports a child’s education – it sustains a movement. With as little as a dollar a day, you can be part of something that lasts far beyond a single school year.
Sponsorship Tiers:
- $1 a day – $365/year
- $2 a day – $730/year
- $3 a day – $1,095/year
No matter which tier you choose, you will be making a huge difference. It takes all of us to create the change we want to see in the world. We can think of no better way to do that than to sponsor a child through an organization that is fully committed to doing things the right way.
