The inspiration behind the Firmina Foundation is based on the amazing life of Rukshana Hafez Triem.

Shana and her family’s home was in the country of Mozambique. In 1985, due to war, they decided they needed to leave Mozambique for their safety. Shana, her parents, and her three siblings hiked two days across the mountain to find refuge in Blantyre, Malawi. They resided in the small village for five years before moving to a refugee camp in Zambia, where they lived for another several years. They were granted asylum, and Shana, her parents, and now four siblings moved to the United States in 1992.

Shana has been living her life giving back to her community in Portland, Oregon in many ways, but she also feels called to give back to the three countries she came from. In her words:

“All these three countries gave me hope and life, and now it’s time to go back and give others hope and dreams. Education is what I would love to give back to Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia.”

The Firmina Foundation was created as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded on the belief that empowerment begins with education.

The Firmina Foundation is dedicated to transforming the lives of children living in the developing world. Our mission is to support giving children from the poorest communities access to quality education, so that they have an opportunity to learn and can work towards a brighter future.

Mission statement: Expanding quality education in Mozambique, Malawi, and Zambia by partnering with local governments, communities, and parents to provide physical school structures, and additional support for schools in underserved villages.