A mild-mannered septuagenarian couple touring Tanzania in 1999 noticed the unusually high incidence of physical handicaps, especially among children.  By the time they returned to the United States, they had committed to fund the construction of a primary school for physically handicapped kids in a rural area in the shadows of Mt. Kilimanjaro.  Within two years, the school was up and running … and from the very first class through today, the students of Faraja Primary School have scored among the highest in the nation … proving “disability does not mean inability.”

The number of pieces that needed to fall in place for this school to materialize were truly miraculous.  But the more wonderful miracles are the lives that have been forever changed by this remarkable school founded in love and grace … and still operating according to these same qualities.

The photos are both breath-taking and heart-warming … and readers should never again doubt the huge impact that can be made by humble individuals with noble intentions.

Mike Conklin started his media career at a small-town weekly newspaper, graduated to local dailies and broadcasting, before making a long stop at the Chicago Tribune, as a beat reporter, columnist, and syndicated feature writer. He has written for the New York Times, a variety of magazines, reviewed books, and taught communication and writing in the U.S. and China. Mike now has turned his attention to fictional books, having just completed his third novel.

Mitch Engel headed up one of the nation’s largest ad agencies at age 37, ran his own strategic consulting business, and eventually was lured into a senior executive position with a Fortune 500 company. After flunking retirement several times, he finally took residence behind his keyboard in 2007. Since then, he has written four novels, co-authored a fifth book, and co-created the content for a popular Chicago tourism app.

The authors have donated the book & all proceeds to The Faraja Fund Foundation.