New memoir traces a father’s grief-driven mission in Tanzania

Don Schlesselman’s new memoir, published by Spines, follows the death of his 15-year-old son and the path that led him to build a lasting charitable mission in Tanzania. The book centers on education, clean water and support for vulnerable children across the Arusha region.

Why it matters: - Schlesselman’s story shows how personal loss can lead to long-term philanthropy that reaches beyond one-time charity. - The memoir highlights a model of giving built around local relationships, education and direct community support. - The book centers attention on children in Tanzania who gained access to sponsorships, clean water and safer learning environments.

What happened: - Don Schlesselman published Helping Hands: A Journey of Love, Loss, and the Children of Tanzania through Spines. - The memoir follows the death of Schlesselman’s 15-year-old son, Zachary, in 2003. - Schlesselman traveled to Tanzania to meet Pendo, a young girl he had sponsored through Compassion International. - That visit led Schlesselman to spend more time in the Arusha region and build deeper ties with local communities. - Schlesselman worked with community leaders including Madam Tondi and Mama Wambura.

The details: - Schlesselman founded the ZZ Pendana Foundation after concluding that short-term charity was not enough for lasting change. - The foundation name honors Zachary and a local boy named Zakayo. - “Pendana” means “Love One Another” in Swahili. - The foundation supports educational sponsorships for children in Tanzania. - The foundation also installs clean water filters in schools. - The foundation works to secure safe environments for vulnerable children in the Arusha region. - Schlesselman’s book contrasts his life in the American corporate sector with daily life in Moshono, Tanzania. - The memoir includes the story of a young blind girl whose resilience helped inspire Rose’s Centre, a safe haven for children with disabilities. - Schlesselman said the book is about offering a helping hand rather than charity, so children can eventually stand on their own. - Schlesselman said the children of Tanzania helped him heal after Zachary’s death.

Between the lines: - The memoir frames philanthropy as a long-term partnership, not a donor-recipient transaction. - The emphasis on schools, water and disability support suggests Schlesselman’s work is aimed at practical barriers that affect daily life and opportunity. - The foundation’s origin story gives the project a personal and emotional anchor that may resonate with readers seeking purpose-driven giving.

What's next: - Helping Hands is available now in print-on-demand and eBook formats. - Schlesselman continues to split his time between the United States and Tanzania. - The ZZ Pendana Foundation remains focused on education, clean water and programs for children with special needs across East Africa. - Schlesselman says he has helped dozens of students access primary, secondary, vocational and university education.

The bottom line: - Schlesselman’s memoir presents grief, service and cross-cultural relationships as the forces behind a lasting legacy in Tanzania.