Meet Linda Hines. She spent most of her adult career working at a nonprofit that benefits animals. After retirement, she went back to school to learn about the environment, our natural habitat, and created an acre in her backyard of a fully sustainable native plant environment.

All these things are commendable, but that is simply where her story begins. In retirement, Linda learned about a place in rural Africa so remote that outside services had not before helped. It is a village in the Songea district of Tanzania that is home to a very poor group of people.

The president and CEO of another nonprofit gathered a group of friends together to survey the situation. Linda traveled to the area and learned about what was needed, and then co-founded a nonprofit group by the name of Songea’s Kids. All the funds given to this organization go directly to the beneficiaries, not only helping them directly, but teaching them how to become self-sufficient.

In this village, they were able to start supplying 140 orphans with the necessities of life. Many of the children couldn’t afford to get an education. It takes money to buy the mandatory uniforms and materials to attend school. In addition to that, the public schools fill up very quickly, and the only ones left are private schools. Unfortunately, these schools are out of reach financially for most families.

This group helps pay for many students on a yearly basis. If the students do not pass the exams, they are dropped from school and forced to go into the workplace without an education. If this happens, the nonprofit group helps them get into vocational schools so the students can learn a marketable trade.

The goals of this organization exceed schooling. They are trying to help this community to be self-sustaining. The first project in this area was whatwas called the chicken project. It took only 18 months for this endeavor to become profitable. Chickens were raised, eggs and meat were sold and the people learned how to put together a business that provides for their family and builds their community.

One of the most powerful moments in Linda’s life was when one of the girls in the community was able to finish college and get a high-paying job. She was the first in her village to graduate college. The board had decided that if these students were willing to put forth the effort and continue in school, it would help them financially to graduate. In turn, the graduates are expected to give back to the organization to help the next group get through school.

The best part of the donated funds from America is that every dollar is given to the students. The people who run Songea’s Kids are volunteers, and none are paid. There is no loss of funds to corruption or theft.

In 2010, Songea’s Kids installed its first clean water well. It was a huge success, and the Rotary of Sammamish helped fund this project. Linda was able to be there when the water came up. She will never forget the celebration of dancing, drumming and singing.

Wars, disease and abandonment have caused several children to be orphaned in Songea. There was a need for a building to house these orphans so they can receive training and a solid education. An architect from Seattle donated his time to design an entire village, and the organization saw it through to fruition, providing accommodations for 160 orphans and classrooms.

Linda Hines is not only a great neighbor in Sammamish, Washington, but she extends her neighborhood to Africa.

Amy McOmber is a 22-year resident of Sammamish.