OMPACO

12/02/2025

Happy giving Tuesday to all our OMPACO friends!! Please see our yearly newsletter for updates on what we’ve been up to and for ways to support us throughout the year!

Thankful for all of you ❤️
Asante sana!

07/31/2025

The OMPACO team finished off the trip!

The group traveled to 3 primary schools in Babati (Kwaang’, Sinai and Maisaka) with the remaining donations and materials. The team closed the day celebrating Father Salaho’s birthday! OMPACO is grateful for his support during their stay in Dareda.

Then, some of the group went for a walk and ran into Gabriel, the head teacher for the local Patrick Winter school. The team was greeted by students and got to see the new building currently being constructed for special needs classrooms. The group then traveled to visit Father Salaho in Mandy.

It’s hard to believe the 2025 trip as come to a close!

07/23/2025

Day 2 of training included discussion about communication and behavioral strategies to use with students with autism. Eunice Tondi, friend of OMPACO, and ambassador for special education, addressed Babati participants. Participants also worked in groups to discuss and practice their skills.

Today, day 3, wrapped up with teaching strategies and sensory regulation. Participants role played and engaged in group problem solving. The OMPACO team was so grateful for how receptive participants were and eager to implement their learning.

07/22/2025

The Arusha OMPACO team reunited with the safari members yesterday in Makayuni and crammed into the car to travel to Dareda. The team made it safely and had a wonderful meal with old friends.

Day 1 of the training in Babati began today, covering the etiology of autism, assessment methods, and communication in Autistic learners. Before the workshop began, the Team was greeted by students with a song. During the workshop, Dr. Martha Collins and her team met with 8 children and families for assessment.

The OMPACO Team was supported by their local contact, Antonia and are very excited to start a partnership in this region!

07/19/2025

Yesterday , some of the team went on safari and some of the team visited our friend Eunice Tondi’s school. The last time OMPACO visited, the building was under construction. Now 10 children live on site. Eunice and her team are doing amazing work.

07/18/2025

Yesterday the OMPACO team went to 3 schools - Msaranga, Shauri Moyo and Moshi Primary School. Tabitha Mugusi, who coordinated the trainings in Moshi, and teachers who attended the training facilitated the visits. Learning materials were distributed and students and teachers expressed their gratitude. Fun was had by all!

07/18/2025

07/16/2025

The OMPACO team completed the Autism training workshop in Moshi today and provided family consults to a total of 26 students and families this week.

Eunice Tondi, good friend of OMPACO, joined the training and shared her experience integrating the OMPACO trainings in the Arusha region. She challenged educators in Moshi to create an Autism Unit.

OMPACO team members were honored and humbled by the gratitude shown by Moshi teachers, administrators and education leaders. The team is so appreciative of the partnership created this week and dedication of the participants. They will be reminded of this partnership when they wear the beautiful shirts they were gifted. It was a truly inspiring several days!

07/14/2025

Team OMPACO completed Day 1 of Autism Spectrum Disorder Awareness and Knowledge Training in Moshi. The Director of Municipal Education in Moshi, Jackson Mtenga, introduced the training with enthusiasm and inspiration. Participants learned how to diagnose autism, the causes, treatment and discussed advocating for students and families of student with autism. They also started to learn about communication and autism. While the teachers were learning, 7 family consults were completed.

07/11/2025

The Boston-based OMPACO team 2025 is at the airport ready to go! Amanda Martinage, Dr. Martha Collins, Julie Matos and Erinn Jacobi are looking forward to collaborating with Tanzanian friends in Moshi and Babati areas. They will meet up with Vicky Rose traveling from Pittsburgh and in-country team member Vero Sarwatt. Stay tuned for updates!