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The Beginning of the Movement
Inspired by the spirit of St. Ignatius, a group of Tanzanian college students and a young American Jesuit volunteer, high school teacher Billy Bludgus, set out to provide children—some living on the streets of Tanzania—with an education and a brighter future.
Growth of House of Blue Hope
As the organization expanded a house was rented and the first group of seven boys (James Haule, James Mdota, Athumani, Mussa, Evarist, Ayubu, and Haji) moved in and embarked on their dreams of fulfilling their full life potential.
The young men were enrolled at Loyola High School. Their daily journey to school included crossing the ferry, and taking the bus to this prestigious school on the opposite side of the city. The journey was long, but so was their dream, as they were each determined to succeed and receive an education.
Billy established a non-profit in the USA to raise funds for the organization’s first house. A plot of land was purchased, and construction of what would be known as House of Blue Hope began in the Mabibo neighborhood. With the color blue reflective of the color shared in both the Tanzanian and U.S. flags, House of Blue Hope was officially born.
Soon after, Adam Weise, a friend of Billy Bludgus, joined Daudi Mboma and spent a little over a year supporting the young boys at House of Blue Hope. During this time, House of Blue Hope Trust was established in Tanzania to operate “House of Blue Hope” for vulnerable children in Dar es Salaam.
House of Blue Hope’s growth has been impressive, adding more houses, girls alongside boys, staff, a day care, a playground, a library, and after school programming. Educational programs include hygiene, computer classes, sports and recreation, and English classes. We carry out health testing, for conditions such as HIV, to ensure House of Blue Hope children get the medical care they need, and counseling and support where appropriate.