Sadock Johnson, a safari guide from Tanzania, Africa has spent five years helping orphans, runaways and other poor children in  Moshi, an impoverished town in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Friday Harbor resident Joe Shultz met Johnson on a trip to Tanzania last summer.

When he heard that Johnson was considering a trip to the United States, Shultz invited Johnson to visit San Juan, where Johnson hopes to learn about the local wildlife, as well as to share stories about Africa and to meet others who would enjoy participating in his work.

He will speak at the Mullis Center, 589 Nash Street, Thursday, Feb. 23, 7-9 p.m., sharing pictures and stories.  Admission is free.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in science and then conducted research on mountain gorillas in Uganda, elephants in Tanzania and other endangered species.

Later he became a safari driver in Tanzania. His work brought him into contact with impoverished communities.

In 2006, Johnson and a partner founded Foot2Afrika-Tanzania, an organization that places volunteers from the United States, Europe, Australia and Asia into local organizations in need of help.  Foot2Afrika also provides advice and financial support to a network of over fifteen orphanages, homes for street youth, schools, women’s centers and environmental organizations.

He is working to develop a day center and trade school for street youth in Moshi.

For more info, call Joe Shultz at 378-2929.