Turning lived experience into lasting change.
Freedom Education Foundation (FEF) was founded by Abraham Lauwo and Vicent Temu, who both grew up in the Moshi district of Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region. Having experienced the challenges of poverty firsthand, they shared a vision of helping rural communities across the region to build a more secure future.
It started small: pens, textbooks, shoes, and school fees for children who needed them, plus hands-on work renovating classrooms and helping build much needed facilities. As the need grew, so did their mission. What began as informal support became FEF. A registered organisation dedicated to breaking the cycle of poverty through education, empowerment and environmental awareness.
Local People.
Local Knowledge.
FEF is run by local people who have experienced the realities of rural life themselves. This local connection matters.
It means our work grows from an understanding of the communities we support, rather than from assumptions made from a distance. We work alongside community members, volunteers and local stakeholders to identify challenges, understand what is needed and create practical responses.
At the heart of FEF is a belief in the potential of people.
Our mission is to support people in rural communities to realise their potential through education, skills building, increased awareness and social and economic support.
Our work is about more than meeting an immediate need. It is about creating opportunities that can strengthen individuals, families and communities over the long term.
We value:
Cooperation
We believe meaningful change happens when people work together.
Honesty
We act with openness and integrity in the way we work and the way we use the resources entrusted to us.
Compassion
We approach our work with understanding, kindness and respect for the people and communities we serve.
Love & Care
We believe genuine care for people is at the heart of meaningful community development.
Reliability
We aim to be people and an organisation that our communities, partners and supporters can depend upon.
Optimism
We believe change is possible, and that every person has the potential to contribute to a better future.
Transparency & Accountability.
We keep our operating costs as low as possible by drawing on local community members and volunteers. This allows more of the resources entrusted to us to go directly towards the people and projects they are intended to support.
We believe accountability matters too. We monitor our projects, follow their progress and provide financial information to our donors and stakeholders. We want the people who support FEF to be able to see where their contribution is going and understand the difference it is helping to make.
Meet our founders.
Vicent Temu
Co-Founder
Vicent brings more than a decade of experience in education, together with qualifications in Education and Applied Social Psychology.
A teacher, counsellor, and mentor, Vicent has spent much of his career supporting young people to recognise their potential and work towards their educational and personal goals. He is passionate about addressing issues affecting young people and communities, including early marriage and gender-based violence.
Vicent brings his experience in education, counselling and community leadership to FEF’s work, with a particular commitment to supporting disadvantaged and marginalised communities in rural Tanzania.
Abraham Lauwo
Co-Founder
With qualifications in community development and wildlife tourism, Abraham began his career as a porter on Kilimanjaro before progressing to assistant guide and then head guide. His experience has taken him across Tanzania and internationally.
His strong connection to the people, culture and natural environment of Kilimanjaro led him to return to Tanzania with a renewed focus on community development and a desire to help reduce poverty and create healthier, happier communities.
His experience in tourism, community development and environmental awareness continues to shape his work with FEF and his commitment to creating opportunities for people in his community.
Help us build a future with freedom.
Together, we can create opportunities that contribute to stronger communities for generations to come.