About Us

Purpose
The purpose of Friends of Shirati is to provide medical, educational and developmental assistance to East Africa, primarily in Tanzania.

History
Friends of Shirati began as an informal group of individuals committed to benefiting members of the Shirati community by contributing monetarily to the material healthcare needs of Shirati Hospital. The first fundraiser for Shirati Hospital occurred in 1978 when employees of Lancaster General Hospital (Lancaster, PA) donated money for medical supplies. A decade later in 1989, a Friends of Shirati committee was formed under Eastern Mennonite Mission (Salunga, PA) to begin efforts toward raising larger funds. In 2004 Shirati Hospital and the Tanzania Mennonite Church began requesting increased financial support to help with the renovation and modernization of Shirati Hospital, in addition to other programs. In response to this request, Friends of Shirati separated from Eastern Mennonite Mission and registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Since 1934 many doctors, nurses, nurse educators, hospital administrators, church leaders, and support personnel have lived and worked at Shirati Hospital and with the Tanzania Mennonite Church. At least 100 of these persons are the basis of our financial support, and our current board of directors has more than 100 cumulative years working at Shirati Hospital.

Tax Exempt Status
Friends of Shirati is a Pennsylvania nonprofit Corporation and is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). Contributions to Friends of Shirati are tax deductible.

Board of Directors

	Dale Ressler, Chairman 1973 - 1981 Tanzania Mennonite Church Office,    Bukirobi Tanzania 1984 Eastern Mennonite University BS degree    Business Administration
	Stanley Godshall, M.D., Vice Chairman Information coming
	Nevin Kraybill, Secretary Treasurer 1964-1970 Administrator - Shirati Hospital 1970-1974 Ass't Administrator, Kilimanjaro Christian    Medical Center, Moshi 1980-1981 Administrator - Shirati Hospital 2003 August - November - Mennonite Guest House, Nairobi 2005 August- November, Mennonite Guest House, Nairobi
	J. Lester Eshleman, M.D. Information coming
	Tom Ruth, M.D. 1975 - 1979 Eastern Mennonite College BS degree 1979 -1983 Medical School - Medical College of Virginia    MD degree 1983-1987 Residency - Internal Medicine - Penn State University    College of Medicine at Hershey Medical Center 1987 - 1990 Tanzania Shirati Hospital
	Tom Smucker Information coming
	Robert Nice Information coming
	Fred Beyer Information coming