History:

In 2001, Father Laurenti Magesa, an African priest and leading African Theologian came from Tanzania to serve at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Glenville, NY and to finish writing his latest book, Anatomy of Inculturation - Transforming the Church in Africa.

Friends of Musoma co-founder, Trevor Schneider, who was born and raised in Johannesburg, South Africa and now practices as a pharmacist, quickly befriended Magesa due to their love of Africa and its people. They conversed about politics, wars and leaders of Africa and over dinners together Dr. Magesa would share about the hardships of his people.

Tanzania is the fourth poorest country in the world. The Friends of Musoma Society was born 3 years ago during Trevor and Gina Schneider's last supper together with Fr. Magesa before he left to go back home. It was just an idea formed after their Indaba together. Indaba is a Zulu word meaning a friendly free exchange of ideas.

Out of this Indaba, Trevor came up with the name Friends of Musoma, with a stress on the word, Friends, for the name of a charitable organization. Trevor and Gina have always dreamed of doing missionary work in the continent of Africa. Fr. Magesa invited them to come and see his home. In June of 2004, Trevor and Gina made a trip to Musoma and fell in love with the people!