Reflections from the Field: A Visit to Kitenga and Beyond

My recent visit to Tanzania left a profound impression—reinforcing my belief in the transformative power of education and the value of trust-based philanthropy, or what GEC calls Allyship. I had the privilege of traveling with GEC’s Founder and Executive Director, Anne Robinson Wadsworth, and Board Chair, Georgia Dachille. Georgia serves as Executive Vice President, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Rich Products, a Buffalo-based global food products company. 

We began our journey with a visit to one of our Ally Funder Alliance members, SHEEO, based in Mwanza. From there, we spent the majority of our time further north in Kitenga. We shared meals, walked through the campus, and experienced the day-to-day life of the school and its surrounding community. Witnessing the impact of this extraordinary school firsthand was both moving and affirming.

Tucked into a lush, rural landscape and led by the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa, the Kitenga Girls Secondary School (KGSS) is more than a school — it’s a place of purpose and promise for over 200 bright, determined girls. What we saw was not just students learning, but a living community built on care, discipline, resilience, and hope.

A Community Rooted in Learning and Care

There’s a unique energy at KGSS — one you feel the moment you step into a classroom. I sat in on a lesson where students were unpacking the meaning of a Tanzanian poem, their insights sharp, their questions thoughtful. It was clear that what’s happening here goes beyond academics. The girls are building a future thanks to a learning environment cultivated by the Sisters – that is both rigorous and joyful.

At the heart of this experience are the people who make it possible. With 15 dedicated teachers and a committed team of Sisters, KGSS thrives because of a shared culture of excellence and care. The deep relationships between staff and students are woven into every part of school life — and they’re nothing short of inspiring.

A Safe and Supportive Environment

At KGSS, the dormitories are more than a place to sleep — they offer safety, stability, and a sense of home. In a world where so many girls face threats to their security and well-being, this campus is a sanctuary – a place where they can live, learn, and grow in peace. 

The school grounds are spacious and thoughtfully designed with accessible water points, science labs, a library, and a beloved community hub known as The Gathering Place— a beautiful space for shared meals, celebrations like Workers Day, and everyday moments of connection and joy.

The girls spoke about their excitement for student clubs, which help them develop leadership, teamwork, and creativity. One evening during recreation, the air was filled with music and laughter as students danced freely. It was more than fun – it was a joyful expression of confidence, freedom and community.

Sustainability in Action: Garden for the Future

The school’s permaculture Garden For The Future is a powerful example of sustainability and self-reliance in action — and one that GEC is proud to support. Seeded through a partnership with Mainsprings and designed with long-term resilience in mind, the garden provides fresh, healthy food for students while also serving as a hands-on learning space.

The garden naturally builds soil health, improves food security, and models climate-smart farming. It’s not only addressing sustainability and nutrition — it’s a living science lab, and an inspiring part of daily life at KGSS.

Community, Culture, & Impact

Our KGSS visit coincided with Tanzania’s national Workers’ Day– and we were lucky to celebrate it alongside the Sisters, students, teachers, staff and their families. To our surprise, GEC’s Founder, Anne Robinson Wadsworth was named Worker of the Year – a heartfelt tribute to her years of tireless partnership, not only with the doers at KGSS, but also with Ally Organizations like SHEEO and Empowered Girls has impacted girls throughout the Mara Region of Tanzania. Her impact on girls continues to ripple across the Mara Region and beyond.

Throughout the week — from early morning assemblies to beautifully choreographed songs — we experienced the hospitality, warmth, and cultural pride that define this community. While each KGSS student brings a unique story, tribal background, and socioeconomic experience, together they form a powerful collective: a community of future changemakers.

And the ripple effect doesn’t stop with the students. Each girl represents a family — often of four or more — whose lives are transformed by her journey. That’s over 800 people directly touched by the dignity, opportunity, and hope that education brings.

A Symbol of Belonging

One of our favorite moments came in the form of a small, joyful reminder of what makes KGSS so special. We watched the young child of a teacher — a toddler — confidently toddling around campus beside his mother, completely at ease. His comfort spoke volumes about the sense of safety, family, and belonging that defines this place.

We were honored to share meals, and take part in the daily rhythms of life with the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa. Their quiet strength and unwavering service are the steady heartbeat of KGSS. 

They are not only educating girls – they are shaping generations of changemakers.

A Renewed Commitment

As Anne, Georgia, and I departed Kitenga and made our way through the Serengeti, we found ourselves reflecting on the power of collaboration, innovation, and trust-based philanthropy. What we carried with us was more than inspiration — it was a renewed sense of purpose.

This visit was not just a journey — it was a recommitment. A recommitment to working alongside organizations like SHEEO and Empowered Girls, whose community-rooted work supports girls in ways schools alone cannot. Together, we will continue linking arms in support of girls, their educators, and their families.

Because when we invest in the future of girls, we invest in a more just, vibrant, and hopeful world.

Why? Because we know there is nothing a girl can’t do!

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Lois’s trip photo album