Why Tanzania?
A long-cherished dream from her youth led Seona Sommer and her husband to Tanzania for a month in 2019. She was originally inspired in 1984 at the age of 15 by her teacher Walter Rausch, who had lived in Tanzania for four years and brought back fascinating stories. Although life initially took her to India, the USA, and Mexico, the Tanzania dream became reality more than 30 years later when she coincidentally met Walter again.
Walter established an impressive aid initiative that annually collects five-figure donation sums and forwards 100 percent to needy families in Tanzania, enabling children to receive education. Due to age, he had to reduce his involvement, but his story inspires many people to become active in their own communities.
Inspiration from the Classroom: Painting Series of Schoolchildren in Tanzania
The visit to Msasani Primary School in Dar es Salaam in 2019 had a lasting impact on artist Seona Sommer. The school supports deaf children, some with additional disabilities. Seona and her husband Rodin were warmly welcomed by the principal and experienced how the children communicated using a sign language based on Kiswahili.
Impressed by the children's enthusiasm for learning despite their challenges, Seona photographically captured their expressive faces and determination. This experience inspired her to create the first five oil paintings in her series "Schoolchildren in Tanzania."
Since 2021, Seona has been working with photographer CK from Dar es Salaam, who took additional reference photos at the school to authentically continue her painting series and artistically represent the diversity of life in Tanzania.
From Art to Social Engagement
In 2024, Seona and her husband planned their second trip to Tanzania. After years of inspiration from her oil paintings of the schoolchildren, Seona wanted to give something back to Msasani Primary School. Principal Nyambo shared a photo of an empty room, showing that students had to eat their meals on the floor - they needed tables and chairs.
Beyond initial fundraising, they founded the German NGO "Zaidi ya Mipaka e.V." in April 2024 to support additional projects long-term. In Tanzania, they finally commissioned a local carpentry shop in July 2024 to make four large wooden tables and forty chairs.
The project brings multiple benefits: ecological sustainability through durable furniture, economic support for local craftsmen, and social inclusion through the dignified furnishing of the school cafeteria, contributing to the appreciation of all students.