Ryan Skaife, founder of The Hope in Tanzania Foundation, Inc. (HIT), grew up in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. He attended college at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse from 1991-1996, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mass Communications. For 10+ years Ryan has worked as a television photojournalist in markets such as Las Vegas, Nevada, Ft. Myers, Florida, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 1999, Ryan began his international business experience as a video programmer for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Recently, he continued his international travelling experience with the University of Pittsburgh’s Semester at Sea program as the Media Director. Through this opportunity of sailing around the world and a stop in Tanzania, Ryan’s life was forever changed. There he met Eric Winson, owner of Tembo Safari Camp and creator of Kilombero Holdings Company, Inc. Throughout his stay in Tanzania, he learned of the humanitarian project Winson had begun.

Ryan witnessed firsthand the richness of the land and the poverty of the people and saw a need for a project like Winson’s. He realized that the whole infrastructure for this effort already exists and that the Tanzanians just need a start to become self-sufficient. “I believe that if we are able to work together on this project, it can become a model for the rest of Africa and, ultimately, the rest of the world”, says Skaife. “We can make a difference through this great opportunity to help an entire nation of people who are so less fortunate than we are in the United States.”

It is through raising awareness of this project in all forms of media and uniting people and organizations around the world that this project can and will succeed. Ryan’s dedication, inspiration, and motivation to create peace and good will to all are the driving forces behind The Hope in Tanzania Foundation.