Our Team

Michael and Dorris Fortson

Beginning as young missionaries near Mbeya in 1965, the Fortsons have a long history of service in Tanzania. Compelled by the images of homeless children on their trips to Tanzania, they established Neema House Arusha in 2012. Michael and Dorris have four children and eight grandchildren. All of their children are involved in the support of Neema. Two of the Fortson’s children were born in Tanzania and Rebekah now lives at Neema Village. Michael and Dorris are retired and serve as unpaid volunteers and Directors of NV. They are the Executive Directors of Neema and serve as President of the Board of Directors.

Ashley Berlin

Ashley Berlin is from Casper, Wyoming.  She comes from a preacher family and is deeply committed to teaching the love of Jesus to all her students.  Ashley and our Tanzanian teacher, make up the preschool teaching staff at Neema Village.  Ashley is a volunteer and is not paid by Neema Village.

Marquisette Bickford

Marq came to Neema in September of 2022 to serve as the Sponsorship Coordinator.  Originally from Iowa she spent 32 years in Kansas City, MO working in Procurement and Financial IT Support.  She has been involved with children through mentoring, teaching children’s Bible classes, Bible camp and serving on several boards supporting these activities.  She is a graduate of York College and received a degree in business management from Oklahoma Christian College.  She loves to organize anything and everything earning the nickname of “The Cruise Director”.  She is an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs and loves Chick-Fil-A.  Marquisette is self-supported.

Marquisette Bickford

Sponsorship Coordinator

Kelle O’Pry Samsill

Kelle Samsill is a graduate of Abilene Christian University where she received her B.S. in education. She taught first grade for 10 years before becoming a stay at home mom in 1996. She and her husband Mark live in Keller, Texas. She has three grown children, Tyler (26), Colton (24), and Katie (22) who is a senior at Harding University. She also serves on the board of directors at Christian Works for Children. She is an active fundraiser and supporter of Neema Village, leading many volunteers and sponsors to visit Neema.

Kelle is a new acting Director.

Kim White

Kim White volunteers at Neema Village twice a year for three months at a time.  As a Board Member, she is on the Finance Committee and the Education Committee of Neema Village.

Kim oversees the Volunteer Program by handling correspondence and scheduling.

Kim is the “in charge” director when Michael and Dorris are not in Tanzania, and as a volunteer, she is not paid by Neema Village.