FORMER Major League Baseball (MLB) star, Ryan Kalish, has arrived in Tanzania with a new mission: to inspire and support youth from underprivileged backgrounds.

The former Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs player (pictured) aims to improve the living conditions of impoverished families by renovating or rebuilding their homes.

Beyond housing initiatives, Kalish is also in discussions with Dr. Glorious Shoo, President of New Life Foundation Tanzania, to explore collaborative efforts to support vulnerable children across the country.

Speaking in Moshi yesterday upon his arrival, Kalish shared the driving force behind his visit. 

"After retiring, I found a new purpose in life," he said. "I chose to work internationally, because there’s so much more to see and so many ways to help - often more than in my own country.”

Kalish is accompanied by Shaban Chani, CEO and Founder of Together For Transformation, a humanitarian organization based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). 

Chani, who was raised as a refugee in Uganda, is dedicated to uplifting orphaned children in East Africa.

Dr. Shoo lauded Kalish's commitment, emphasizing that his actions reflect a deeper calling to use one's blessings for the benefit of others. 

"He has come to a point in life where he realizes that fame and fortune alone are not fulfilling," Dr. Shoo stated. "True joy comes not from personal gain, but from reaching out and touching the lives of others. That is real wealth.”

He further elaborated on his definition of true wealth: "Real wealth isn't in how many cars we drive, or how many homes we own. It’s not even in how many countries we’ve visited. True wealth is measured by the impact we make on other people’s lives.”

Dr. Shoo also highlighted the inspiring journey of Chani, noting his selfless dedication to helping orphans despite his own challenging upbringing in a refugee camp. 

"In Uganda, he’s already working to support orphaned children," Dr. Shoo explained. "When they learned about the work we’re doing at New Life Foundation, they came here to explore how we can collaborate across different parts of Africa. They’ve already started visiting homes in Tanzania as part of their mission to improve the lives of the poor.”

Discussions are ongoing regarding potential support programs for Tanzanian orphans. 

Dr. Shoo also pointed out the broader positive impact of such visits, stating: “These individuals can serve as incredible ambassadors for our national parks and conservation areas - including the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and other tourist destinations. 

“Even now, they’re staying in local hotels and contributing to the economy. With their global reputation, they can play a major role in promoting tourism and supporting government initiatives.”