2001- A great impetus for the consolidation and foundation of OMPACO in the United States followed a research visit by Dr. Susan Folstein, Dr. Martha Collins and Dr.Ray Mankoski (a medical student at the  time) to Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. While there, they worked closely with Ella Mgalla the head teacher of the Autism Unit .This trip was intended to contribute to Dr. Folstein's ongoing genetic research into the etiology of autism.

 

Recognizing the Autism Unit’s extensive and pervasive need for teaching and medical resources, upon their return, Dr Collins gathered support from her colleagues to create a board for OMPACO while Dr. Folstein’s research team, led by Deborah Arin, volunteered to seek donations from American Corporations to provide teaching materials for the teachers and children in the Autism Unit.

 

2002- Organization for Medical and Psychological Assistance for Children Overseas (OMPACO) was founded as a non-profit (501.c.3) organization by Dr. Martha Collins and colleagues. These committed Health Care professionals and concerned individuals gathered in response to the growing concerns and voices of parents and individuals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania who were seeking quality psychiatric and medical care.

 

2002-Through the generous donations of Therapro, Boise-Cascade, Mayer-Johnson and the National Cristina Foundation, two pallets of educational supplies were sent to the Autism Unit Twenty-seven boxes in total were filled with basic supplies, such as communication books, therapy balls, paper, tape, pens, Mayer-Johnson software and computers. Thanks to an anonymous donation, the shipment costing over $7,000 dollars was made possible.  In addition Vaccess Health Pharmaceutical company provided funds to purchase gloves and netting to help prevent malaria which was seen to be a cause of acute encephalitis in infants and toddlers. Cerebral malaria in turn was found to be one of the major causes of autism in this population during the research visit.

2005- OMPACO began sending health care and educational professionals to Tanzania. Initially, OMPACO would support projects assisting children with Psychiatric and Developmental  conditions anywhere in the world; however, since 2007, OMPACO’s efforts have focused primarily on Tanzania.  Due to the overwhelming need and the origins of OMPACO in autism support groups in Tanzania, a great deal of OMPACO’s work has been to educate special needs teachers, parents, and caregivers of children on the autistic spectrum. 

 

2011- OMPACO starts sending teams of educators and physicians annually to provide trainings for medical professionals and special educators in Tanzania.  In addition, the teams bring much needed educational supplies (i.e. toys, pencils, paper) as well as conduct individual family consults.

 

While initially trainings and consults were conducted only in Dar es Salaam, OMPACO now conducts educational and medical training throughout the country.  Our teams have traveled to the Lake Region (Mwanza) and to the Arusha Region (Arusha City).  Also with our expansion  has come the expansion of services for children with Special Needs.  In Dar es Salaam alone, while initially only a single classroom serviced children with special needs, now there are special needs classrooms in many primary schools servicing students throughout the city.

 

2015- Amanda Martinage was elected president of OMPACO.  Under Amanda’s leadership, yearly trips continue and OMPACO’s thinking and actions move towards the future in terms of  education and support in a growing technological world. With our recent mobile telephone education project, led by Dr. Nilofer Naqvi, OMPACO continues to strive to fulfill our mission of assisting families and children in need.

 

2018- OMPACO successfully launches first mobile phone training program on Autism knowledge in Arusha for educators. The content was available for six months and presented information in Swahili and English.