Learning in Partnership: GEC’s January–February Visit to Tanzania

In January and February, the GEC team traveled to Tanzania to spend time with leadership at the Kitenga Girls Secondary School (KGSS), in partnership with the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa, and other local partners including Empowered Girls, our newest graduate from the Ally Funder Alliance (AFA).

The purpose of the visit was not to launch new initiatives or announce major changes. It was to listen, review progress, and ensure that what is underway continues to move forward thoughtfully, at the right pace, and in alignment with local priorities.

Building Systems, Not Stand-Alone Projects

Much of the time in Kitenga was spent walking through infrastructure improvements that are deeply connected to daily life at the school — a new shower extension, changing room, road enhancements and planning for the next phase of the master water plan, a 100,000 litre water cistern.

Taken individually, these can look like small upgrades. In practice, they are tightly linked systems. Water access shapes hygiene, health, and meal preparation. Roads affect deliveries, safety, and emergency response. A changing room will provide a private, dignified space for menstrual pad changing, bringing more comfort and ease to the school day. Each improvement builds on the last, which is why sequencing matters so much.

Together, we reviewed what has been completed, what is underway, and what must wait. The emphasis remained on durability and functionality, ensuring that systems are completed fully and maintained locally, rather than expanded too quickly.

Progress is steady, intentional, and aligned with long-term planning.

Academic and Operational Alignment

Infrastructure is only one part of school life. Conversations with school leadership also focused on academic priorities and operational planning for the year ahead.

These discussions were practical and candid. Staffing needs, student wellbeing, and the intersection between facilities and learning outcomes were discussed openly. One theme came up repeatedly: predictability – knowing what is planned, what is funded, and how decisions are made.

This allows school leadership to plan responsibly and reduces strain on day-to-day operations. This shared clarity is central to GEC’s partnership model. Priorities are reviewed collaboratively, trade-offs are named honestly and decisions are made with both immediate needs and long-term impact in mind.

Garden for the Future: Advancing to Phase 2 with Care

It was hard to believe how much has changed in the Garden of the Future. When I stood in the same place last year, the land was functional, promising, but still sparse. Now it is flourishing. The growth was not just in what was planted, but in how the systems were working together.

It was one of those moments where progress didn’t need explaining, you could see it.

The focus for Phase 1 of the farm has been on preparing the land, establishing reliable growing systems, and building foundational skills among the farm team. Phase 2 builds on that foundation in visible and exciting ways. Chickens and cows will soon be introduced, along with an animal pen that will allow the farm to function as a more complete, interconnected system. These additions mark an important step forward, expanding both food production and learning opportunities.

While in Kitenga, GEC also invested in additional training for the PermaFarm workers in partnership with Mainsprings Tanzania, strengthening skills related to soil health, and farm management. This training ensures that growth is matched with knowledge, and that the farm continues to be well cared for as it evolves.

The Daily Rythm: From Farm To Table

During the visit, we witnessed produce harvested in the morning and served at lunch the same day. Seeing the full cycle from field to table in a single day  underscored how careful planning and coordination translate into everyday nourishment for students.

This impact was echoed by Mr. Tumaini, the second head of school at KGSS. He shared that students feel the difference directly. When Pre-Form students returned to Kitenga this January, several remarked that they were happy to be back specifically because the food at school is “good and diverse”. For us, that kind of feedback says more than any metric ever could.

From Farm To Table

As the farm becomes part of daily school life, student curiosity follows. A permaculture club has formed at the school, and student interest continues to grow. Through observation and engagement, girls are learning how food systems work, and how balanced, regenerative practices can support both people and the land over time.

As always, expansion remains intentional. Reliable water comes before animals. Shelter comes before growth. Each step is taken when the conditions are right.

The Kitchen Mama Program: Strengthening Daily Life

Daily meals remain central to student wellbeing at KGSS. During the visit, GEC spent time with the Kitchen team, understanding how meals are prepared, sourced, and coordinated with farm production. 

The Kitchen Mama

Last year, the Sisters identified the need for a dedicated role in the kitchen, someone responsible for cleanliness, organization, and the flow of meal service across a very busy school day. In response, the Kitchen Mama role was introduced, and she began working at the school in July last year. 

Te Kitchen Mama plays a quiet but critical role in this system. The Sisters shared how much smoother daily routines have become, students spoke warmly about her presence, and she herself expressed pride and satisfaction in the work she does.

This stability matters. When students are well-nourished and supported, they are better able to focus, engage, and remain in school. The program contributes not only to operations, but to student retention and wellbeing.

The Ally Funder Alliance: Learning Together

Beyond Kitenga, the visit included meeting with Empowered Girls, who recently graduated from GEC’s Ally Funder Alliance. 

The conversation focused on long-term sustainability and highlighted the value of transparency, predictability, and open dialogue about constraints as well as growth.

This feedback continues to shape the AFA. The Alliance prioritizes quality and durability over rapid expansion, reinforcing GEC’s commitment to community-led progress.

Looking Ahead

The January–February visit reinforced confidence not only in the direction of GEC’s work, but in the way it is done.

Progress continues not through rapid expansion, but through steady collaboration, careful sequencing, and shared leadership. As 2026 advances, the focus remains on completing priority infrastructure, advancing Phase 2 of the PermaFarm, and deepening learning and impact across the Ally Funder Alliance.

Sustainable change is built through partnership. This visit affirmed that the foundation is strong.