Operation Bootstrap Africa

History

Established in 1965.

With Tanzania’s independence in 1964, the importance of education was stressed by its first President, Julius Nyerere. The Reverend J. David Simonson and his wife Eunice, serving as Lutheran missionaries in Tanzania, reflected this educational concern, engaging friends to raise funds for the construction of primary schools. In August of 1965, Operation Bootstrap was incorporated. OBA projects have expanded to include a range of educational and health care projects, and the administration of scholarship programs. Projects have been successfully completed in Tanzania, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and The Gambia. This is truly an anniversary worth celebrating — achievements made possible by donors like you, our staff here, and our partners in Africa!