Who we are.
A simple concept, a simple building, with anything but a simple story to get here. God has been preparing and guiding since 2016 for this work. Read below for more details about the journey.
Joseph Boon and Brittany James
The Dar Health Initiative (DHI) room located on our team’s property
DHI started with God preparing Joseph (clinical officer) and Brittany (nurse) each in their own way. Their passion for health care education in connection with the gospel is a mutual value of theirs. God provided a way for them to minister together through health education and investing in the individuals that make up communities. They love their 1:1 time with patients, community seminars they teach and visiting local ministries to help with health check-ups and health lessons for staff members, students, parents and children.
Since 2016, Brittany has been living in Dar Es Salaam with her husband and their three children. She has been a nurse since 2010. Life and ministry have been full of learning Kiswahili, culture and local contexts. She has spent several years watching, listening and learning about the health care system in Dar. The stories she heard showed her that there are accessible clinics in this big city; but she found that the biggest impact could be made not trying to replace the work of local clinics and doctors, but to do prevention care and education. She saw that empowering others with education created healthy, loving relationships with mutual learning from one another. She loves health education. She loves watching people learn and grow and take charge of their health, and to see how that fits into God’s plan for their lives. God cares, He is close and He is good. Brittany has her nursing license through the State of Ohio, and Bachelors of Science in Counseling from Clarks Summit University.
Joseph and Martha Boon
Joseph was born and raised in Morogoro, Tanzania and moved with his family to Dar Es Salaam in 2013. After moving to the city, he joined Kampala International University in 2013 and graduated in 2016 as a Clinical Officer. His dream has always been to do ministry not just in health but in a spiritual way, he wants to introduce others to Jesus. After graduating, the university stationed him to run a village clinic in Njombe, on the other side of Tanzania, very far from his family and home. He led this clinic for 3 years, gaining valuable experience. His dream never changed, he wanted to help people physically while sharing the gospel to the patients that came to the clinic. He faced challenges where he could not share about God in the clinic, but when he would take time to visit the sick in their homes, they were receptive to him coming and sharing. While it was difficult to be alone in this clinic job, God helped him continue to serve the people well and pray for them. Finally, in 2021, God provided a way for Joseph to return to Dar and to work in ministry together with Brittany through Dar Health Initiative. Joseph sees all the many ways that God used hardships and challenges to grow his love and ability to provide healthcare and also share the gospel, the most important message in the world. He thanks God for the way He has allowed Joseph to see his dreams come to fruition here in Dar Es Salaam and with DHI. He is married to his beautiful wife, Martha and have a wonderful son together.