The vision for Africa Harvest of Hope began in December 2005 when Alan and his wife, Shannon, went on a mission trip to Tanzania. During their two weeks there, they were deeply moved by the people they encountered, especially the children suffering from poverty, malnourishment, rampant disease, and the devastating effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This experience ignited a burning desire in them to help these children, who were innocent victims of circumstances beyond their control. They made numerous contacts with local churches in Tanzania and were encouraged by the support they received from those who shared their vision of providing hope to the hopeless.

In June 2006, they informally established Africa Harvest of Hope, and by 2007, it was formalized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. With a mission to partner with local churches and organizations already supporting orphans by providing food, shelter, and funds for education, they commissioned a Tanzanian pastor to oversee the distribution of resources, ensuring they reached the children who needed them most.

Their first project was in Moshi, where they leased and refurbished a small compound to foster 14 orphaned children. Their second project was a partnership with a local pastor in the rural village of Korogwe to establish a Children’s Home for 30 homeless orphans. Together, they worked to create a safe environment where these children could feel at home with loving adoptive parents and familial responsibilities, creating a clear distinction between a “Children’s Home” and an orphanage. The Children’s Home immediately reached its full capacity of 30 children upon its completion in February 2008.

Recognizing the pressing needs of other orphaned children who could not be housed, they initiated campaigns to provide pre-packaged nutritious meals. Between 2009 and 2011, they conducted four nutrition outreaches, coordinating hundreds of volunteers to prepare 500,000 meals for distribution to orphans throughout the area.

After supporting the Korogwe Children’s Home for over five years, they passed management to the local pastor in 2012. This allowed Alan and Shannon to refocus their efforts on the orphan population in Moshi, where they were constantly reminded of the overwhelming need for support.

In 2013, the board of Africa Harvest of Hope decided to establish a non-government organization (NGO) subsidiary, and in 2014, purchased 12.5 acres of land in Moshi with plans to build several Children’s Homes, each designed to support up to 12 children.

Today, two of these Children’s Homes have been fully developed, providing a safe and nurturing environment for the 24 children who reside in them.