Berit Skaare: A compassionate heart that brought hope to orphans

Iringa. In the quiet hamlet of Masukanzi, nestled in Ilula Village, Kilolo District, Iringa Region, the name Berit Skaare, 80, stands as a beacon of hope and transformation.

The Norwegian national is the founder of the Ilula Orphan Program (IOP), a non-governmental organisation that has supported orphans and vulnerable children in Tanzania for over two decades.

Ms Skaare first arrived in Tanzania in the 1990s, driven by a deep desire to support disadvantaged communities.

Moved by the plight of children orphaned by disease, poverty, and social challenges, she established IOP in 1998 to provide educational, emotional, and social support.

Through an educational sponsorship initiative, Ms Skaare mobilised friends and donors from Norway and beyond to support her vision.

Today, children who once saw no future are now doctors, teachers, engineers, journalists, and community leaders.

Recently, more than 250 friends, family members and supporters gathered at Lord’s Hill Hall to celebrate Ms Skaare’s 80th birthday and honour her legacy.

Guests came from Tanzania, the United States and Europe — including former IOP beneficiaries, current staff, and Ms Skaare’s close relatives — united by the impact of her work.

In her emotional remarks, Ms Skaare expressed gratitude to God for the blessing of long life, thanked IOP’s committed staff, and acknowledged the enduring efforts of IOP committees in Europe and the US.

She also recognised those continuing to advance the organisation’s mission.

Her story stands as a testament to the transformative power of compassion and vision, happy 80th birthday, Bibi Berit — your legacy lives on.

IOP began as a modest effort to support children in a country where an estimated four million are orphaned and the effects of HIV/AIDS remain profound.

Amid widespread poverty and gender inequality, the organisation emerged as a symbol of hope.

Describing IOP as a “Christian outreach NGO supporting the most vulnerable children in Tanzania,” Berit said: “These children must become tomorrow’s leaders. Without education, they cannot fill those roles.”

What began as a mission to get children into school has since grown, partly through support from the United Methodist Church.

Today, IOP not only provides access to education but also equips youth with practical life skills.

“We’ve sent over 2,400 children to school, placed 550 in foster homes, and built four schools and one orphanage. We also run two shops, a restaurant, and several farming initiatives,” said Ms Skaare.

All initiatives are operated by Tanzanians, creating training and employment opportunities that would otherwise be limited.

Notably, 75 percent of teachers in IOP-supported schools are former students.

“When we opened the orphanage, we had just five staff. Today, we have 108,” she noted.

“We are now the second-largest employer in the district after the government, in a district roughly half the size of Indiana,” he added.

IOP also supports local agriculture and pursues new goals, including irrigation schemes, assistance for young single mothers to return to school, and farmer training in modern techniques to boost yields.

“I believe our success comes from faith, transparency, integrity, and strong donor partnerships,” affirmed Ms Skaare.

Local impact

IOP's first black executive director, based in Masukanzi, Mr Edson Msigwa, confirmed the breadth of the programme.

“We run an orphanage and support children from nursery to university. Over 2,400 have benefitted from our sponsorship,” he said.

A native of Ilula and third-born in a family of five, Ms Winfridah Mlonga, lost her parents at 14.

She was introduced to IOP during secondary school and received sponsorship through university.

Now serving as IOP’s communications officer for the seventh year, Ms Mlonga highlighted the continued challenges facing orphans, especially due to HIV/AIDS and neglect.

She celebrated Ms Skaare’s milestone birthday and praised her dedication to empowering girls.

“Many have achieved their dreams because of Bibi Skaare’s support through education,” she said.

Another IOP alumnus from Ilula, Mr Silvano Myovella, reflected on Ms Skaare’s lasting impact.

“She came to Tanzania to support the disadvantaged and those with special needs,” he said.

The health officer and dental coordinator in Kondoa District, Dodoma, Mr Myovella, called on stakeholders to establish more care centres for orphans to reduce the number of street children.