Meet the Faces of SATINO
Every day in Arusha, a small, dedicated team shows up for 58 children — teaching, feeding, driving, cooking, and keeping the school running. This is who they are.
Founder & DirectorAugustino — "Weza"
Founder & Director · Since 2019
Weza is a Swahili word given to Augustino by friends — it means "the ability to do something." After years of travel through East Africa researching agriculture, economic development, and childcare, Augustino returned to Arusha and founded SATINO from the ground up in 2019.
He leads every aspect of the school — from teacher management and community relations to donor communications and the day-to-day running of 58 children's education. He is the heart of everything SATINO does.
The Team on the Ground
Seven dedicated people who show up every day for SATINO's children — teachers, carers, a cook, and a driver.
Madam Juma
Teacher
Leads SATINO's oldest class, preparing children for the transition to primary school with full sentence reading, comprehension, and arithmetic.
Pre-Primary — Age 6
Madam Elizabeth
Teacher
Teaches reading, writing, and early numeracy in English, Swahili, and Maths — building the foundations children need before Pre-Primary.
Middle Class — Ages 4–5Madam Fatima
Teacher
Introduces the youngest students to letters, numbers, colours, and shapes — through songs, play, and structured activity.
Baby Class — Ages 3–4Madam Dora
Daycare Carer
Provides safe, attentive care for SATINO's youngest children — enabling their parents, particularly mothers, to work with peace of mind.
Daycare — Ages 0–3Madam Happy
Operations & Administration
Manages the school's day-to-day finances, administration, and operations — keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
Madam Yasinta
Cook
Prepares two nutritious meals every school day for all 58 children and staff. For many children, Yasinta's cooking is the most reliable food of their day.
Ernest
Bus Driver
Safely transports children to and from school every day — making education accessible for families who live further from the school.
A Community, Not Just a School
Board of Directors
SATINO USA Inc is governed by an international board — providing accountability, strategic oversight, and donor confidence across all operations.
Michael Collins
🇺🇸 United States
Co-founder of SATINO USA Inc. Oversees US operations, legal compliance, and board governance from the United States. Also the director of Satino Football Academy.
Mikosch Rahn
🇩🇪 Germany
Leads fundraising strategy and donor engagement — connecting SATINO with supporters, organisations, and networks across Europe.
Augustino ("Weza") Kessy
🇹🇿 Tanzania
Board member and founder of SATINO, leading the day-to-day operations on the ground. As the driving force behind everything SATINO does, he brings the board's strategic decisions to life.
SATINO is a registered US non-profit — SATINO USA Inc — with international board oversight. All funds are processed securely via Givebutter & Stripe into a US bank account. Learn more about how we're structured →
And Hundreds of Volunteers
Beyond the permanent team, SATINO has welcomed volunteers from France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Canada, Australia, the UK, and beyond. They assist in classrooms, coach football, build furniture, paint murals, and bring new energy to the school and community. Every volunteer leaves having made a real difference — and most say the experience changed them too.
Volunteer With Us →