Girls Education Collaborative

04/09/2025

Big news! 🎉 We’re delighted to introduce Lois Mufuka Martin, our new Executive Director!

A native of Zimbabwe, Lois’ extensive career includes roles as a nonprofit CEO, grantmaker, and nonprofit consultant. She has worked in education, equity and nonprofit leadership. Her deep experience in organizational transition makes her uniquely positioned to lead GEC into its next chapter.

We're excited about the impact she’ll bring to our work supporting girls' education globally.

Wish her a warm welcome!

03/26/2025

There is nothing a girl can't do. Thank you for being part of this journey.



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03/13/2025

We’ve got to give a huge shoutout to Aron William—the talented man behind the lens capturing so many incredible moments. 📸

Aron snapped some seriously amazing photos and videos that help us share the Kitenga and AFA stories in the most powerful way. We’re so grateful to have had him with us for part of the trip.

Thanks, Aron! We appreciate you. 💛

03/11/2025

This incredible journey in Tanzania comes to an end and oh, how we already miss everyone! Until next time, Tanzania. We’ll be back. 💚💛🖤💙

03/08/2025

03/07/2025

Strong alone. Stronger together. 🐘
🙌 The Bright day care and kindergarten
🙌 Tumaini School
🙌 Empowered Girls
🙌 Solidarity for Her Education and Empowerment Organisation - SHEEO Tanzania

Over the past 2 days, we’ve had a wonderful time not just getting to know each other, but gaining a much deeper understanding of each other’s work—the kind of understanding that allows for meaningful collaboration, informed support, and collective problem-solving.

From powerful discussions to hands-on learning, this first-ever AFA Ally Forum gave us the space to strengthen our shared mission of breaking down barriers to girls' education. These connections don’t end here—this is just the beginning of a stronger, more united network of changemakers!
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A huge thank you to Mainsprings: The Janada L. Batchelor Foundation for Children for hosting us so warmly and helping make this gathering a success! Their beautiful space on the shores of Lake Victoria was the perfect backdrop for learning... and some unforgettable wildlife sightings! 🦛



📸 Aron William

03/07/2025

Dinner with a view… and a surprise guest! 🦛✨ As we gathered for our farewell dinner, a hippo casually popped up in the lake right in front of us! Who knew that even the hippos wanted to be part of the Ally Forum? 🤭

03/07/2025

Our second day at the AFA Ally Forum was packed with deep and passionate discussions, as Ally Organizations got to the heart of how they design, run, and sustain impactful programs.

💡 Brenda, Empowered Girls' Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning Officer, shared powerful examples from their mentorship & life skills programs, showing how equipping girls with confidence and critical skills can change the trajectory of their lives.

💬 Luka, founder of the Bright Hostel, encouraged an exchange into community perceptions of girls’ education, especially around their right to education and the right to occupy property within their communities. His experiences surface important reflections on the barriers girls still face and how organizations can navigate these challenges.

📈 Strategic Planning: Ally organizations reflected on their Theory of Change—hearing different approaches is always inspiring, and underscores the power of locally-led solutions.

The Bright day care and kindergarten Empowered Girls Tumaini School Solidarity for Her Education and Empowerment Organisation - SHEEO Tanzania



📸 Aron William

03/06/2025

A recap of our first day - Ally Forum, 2025 edition! Feel the energy?

Solidarity for Her Education and Empowerment Organisation - SHEEO Tanzania Empowered Girls The Bright day care and kindergarten Tumaini School



📸 Aron William

03/06/2025

And right away we got to the heart of our work with deep conversations and hands-on learning!

💬 Big Conversations: We tackled key challenges like Income-Generating Activities and Fundraising for Small NGOs, sharing experiences, ideas, and strategies to build financial sustainability while staying true to our missions.

🌿 Farm Tour & Sustainability in Action: We explored Mainsprings' Permaculture Farm, learning best practices that many of our Ally Organizations can take back to their own farms, schools, and programs. With so many of our partners integrating gardening and environmental initiatives, this was a powerful opportunity to see sustainability in action.

Empowered Girls Solidarity for Her Education and Empowerment Organisation - SHEEO Tanzania Tumaini School The Bright day care and kindergarten



📸 Aron William

03/06/2025

We kicked off the AFA Ally Forum with two exercices to set the tone for collaboration and getting to the heart of our work.

🎨🥑 Avocado Drawing – No two avocados can be the same, just like no two organizations are the same!

📝 The 20-Word Challenge – Can you describe your organization’s work in 20 words or less? Harder than it seems! But clarity in messaging is key to engaging supporters.

Tumaini School Solidarity for Her Education and Empowerment Organisation - SHEEO Tanzania The Bright day care and kindergarten Empowered Girls

03/06/2025

🌍 Happening now: the first-ever Ally Forum! For the first time, and for two days, the leaders of all AFA organizations are together in one place. This idea was sparked by Kellen from Empowered Girls and when we asked others, the response was overwhelming—“This is an opportunity we’ve been waiting for!”

The Ally Forum is all about getting to the heart of our work—our challenges, our opportunities, and how we can support each other. It’s a space for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and collective problem-solving among leaders working towards the same mission: breaking down barriers to girls’ education.

Our motto? Strong alone. Stronger together. 🐘

🙌 Solidarity for Her Education and Empowerment Organisation - SHEEO Tanzania
🙌The Bright day care and kindergarten
🙌 Empowered Girls
🙌 Tumaini School

03/05/2025

While in Arusha, we had the privilege of meeting another incredible local leader, Dr. Estahappy Mariki, Director of The Girls Foundation of Tanzania For 12 years, they have been designing and implementing high-impact programs to help girls succeed in their education—taking innovative approaches like peer-to-peer learning 🙌

Though we didn’t have time to capture photos of their work in action, Anne did manage to snap a quick selfie before heading out! Thank you to Dr. Mariki for sharing your time and insights with us 💙

03/04/2025

When we’re in Tanzania, we make time to meet local leaders who are driving incredible change in underserved areas where the needs are great. Anne & Lisa had the privilege of visiting Rachel Stephen from Maji Safi Group , a disease prevention and health promotion initiative empowering rural communities in Mara Region. And they’re just an hour’s drive from Kitenga! 🚗💨

One of MSG’s core beliefs is that preventable diseases can be avoided by taking a community-led approach, empowering women and children to be champions of disease prevention. For one of their programs, they work with local schools to deliver a Menstrual Hygiene Health (MHH) program, helping break the silence around menstruation, and equiping schoolgirls with knowledge and choice.

Learning from local leaders like Rachel means understanding solutions that are culturally relevant, community-driven, and built for lasting impact. Huge appreciation for the incredible work being done at Maji Safi! 💙👏🏾



📸 Aron William

03/03/2025

Lisa has arrived in Kitenga! 🎉 Our Director of Programs joined GEC in January. This is her first visit to Kitenga, and she is finally here! What better way to dive into campus life than by spending time with the girls and exploring the Garden for the Future? 🌿💙



📸 Aron William

02/27/2025

And here’s the mighty talented duo behind the mural project! 🎨✨ Longtime GEC supporter and friend, Diane Foley Imbrogno and her son Tyler led the way, transforming a blank wall into something that will inspire the Kitenga community every day.

A huge thank you for your creativity, vision, and for making this such a special experience for the girls! 💛

02/27/2025

The big reveal – a mural like no other! 🎉😍

After days of dedication, creativity, and teamwork, the final piece is absolutely breathtaking. Can you spot the Garden for the Future? the blooming flower garden?the grand Mount Kilimanjaro? the magnificent Tanzanian elephants?

This isn’t just a work of art—it’s a vision for a brighter future led by girls. 💙

What’s your favorite part of the mural? Let us know in the comments!