Patti Griffiths is a typical American wife and mother whose primary career has been pharmacy. In 2012 she traveled to Tanzania on a mission trip, fell in love with the Tanzanian people, and met Laurence Laben. In 2013 she made her second trip when Laurence was the young Tanzanian working at the orphanage Patti visited in Mbuguni. On that trip he suggested that they team up to create a vocational school to provide skills for Tanzanian young people, providing hope while helping them lift themselves out of the poverty that they have always known. Patti immediately agreed, and the vision for Next Life Foundation was born.
Today, NLF is into its second school facility, has graduated its first two year class of tailors, is halfway through its first carpentry class, and has begun the second session of the tailoring class.
The mission of Next Life Foundation is to provide vocational training and sustained opportunities for the young people of Mbuguni, Tanzania, providing education in a Christian environment while gently sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In this very short time, an obedient woman from the Iowa Great Lakes and a young Tanzanian motivated by his love and concern for his people have been used by God to make a difference in the lives of numerous young people. NLF Tanzania operates the ministry in Tanzania while NLF America provides gentle guidance and funding to support the school. Next Life Foundation is an example of what is possible when one person responds to God’s calling in their life.
First Presbyterian Church has supported Next Life Foundation since 2016.