The Baobab Home was established in 2004 by a Tanzanian and an American. The inspiration for the Home began around 1973, when Terri Place had to sleep with every one of her dolls in her bed, so that none would be left behind. This grew into a love of children, particularly those in need.
Fast forward to 2003, when a radical life change brought her to volunteer at Sanyu Babies Home in Uganda, and she found what she was put on Earth to do. After falling in love in, and with, Tanzania, she decided to stay. Terri has a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology, is trained as a childbirth assistant, and has worked as an evaluator of government social service programs in the United States.
Mwandu Caito, from a family of 11, loves children and has spent much of his life caring for younger siblings, nieces and nephews. When they met, Caito had a curio shop in Zanzibar. After moving to Bagamoyo, Caito studied sound engineering at the Bagamoyo College of Arts. Now a few weekends a month moonlights (literally) doing sound and lighting for Prime Time Promotions, Sauti za Busara, The British Council and Zain telephone company. A native Tanzanian, he has a strong sense of cultural pride.
The Baobab Home is incorporated in the State of New Jersey, where it is also registered as a charity (2565300). Its 501(c )3 federal tax exempt status was awarded in December, 2005.
The Home is located in Bagamoyo, Tanzania and will serve the entire Coast region. The Baobab Home is also a registered international NGO in Tanzania. A volunteer Board of Trustees oversees the Home’s philosophical, legal and financial goals, and approves all Operating Procedures and bylaws.
The Board
Laura Guyer-Miller, President
Mark Steele, Vice President
Katie Balk, Secretary
Jo Place Treasurer
Ken Russo
Michael Place
Shane Hofeldt
