SAKILA PRIMARY SCHOOL (Usa River) is where the idea for Friends of Tanzanian Schools arose. In the summer of 1996 the first Shady Hill families traveled to Tanzania with Thomson Safaris. Some of the families spent a morning at Sakila, where they were treated to songs, poetry, soccer games and warm embraces by their Tanzanian hosts. They also saw children learning 100 to a room, with dirt floors, no windows or electricity, and few if any books. As the Americans were getting back into their safari vehicles, Sakila headmaster Yona Andrew urged them to remember the school with their well-known American generosity. On the ride back to Arusha, several of the Shady Hill parents resolved to raise some funds to help Sakila. Since the founding of Friends of Tanzanian Schools, the organization has contributed over $50,000 to upgrade Sakila. Improvements have included six classrooms, a computer room, electricity, and teachers’ houses. When Friends of Tanzanian Schools arranged to deliver and install computers in 2003, Sakila reportedly became the first public elementary school is Tanzania to have computers. Friends of Tanzanian Schools also has sponsored and financed two trips to the United States by Sakila headmaster Andrew.

Shady Hill families have continued to visit Sakila with Thomson Safaris. In 2001 Sakila hosted a large celebration for Shady Hill families and representatives of Friends of Tanzanian Schools , including musical entertainment and present-giving.

Sakila remains the school to which Friends of Tanzanian Schools has provided the most overall assistance in Tanzania.

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