The same problem happens every year in Tanzania – and we’re here to stop it.
In Tanzania, one of the leading causes of dropout amongst girls is gaps in the education system. The biggest being a 6-8 month time gap between the end of secondary school and the start of the next school year.
Without a safe and structured environment, girls face mounting societal and economic pressures that can prevent them from continuing their education.
That’s why we’ve created GAP: Girls Advancement Pathway. A six-month skills programme for 15-19-year-old girls, designed to fill this critical education gap.
The World Bank has estimated that limited educational opportunities for girls cost countries $15-$30 trillion in lost lifetime productivity and earnings (2018). Despite tremendous progress getting girls into school in East Africa, more needs to be done to ensure this education counts.
Meet Aneth: One girl’s story, shared by many
Aneth Sikoi, whose lived experience shapes everything we do
My name is Aneth Sikoi, I’m a 19-year-old Maasai girl from Lenjani village, Arusha Region. I graduated from Osiligi Secondary School and completed Form 4 in 2023. This was a long-held dream of mine, and I thank God that it came true.
However, life after Form 4 graduation was filled with uncertainty. For nine months, I stayed home, helping with household chores and caring for my younger siblings. At first, I thought this break would be a chance to rest, but as the months went by, I started feeling bored and uncertain about what comes next. Without activities or a clear path, I began to feel lost about my future. During this time, I faced a challenging situation that altered my course – I became pregnant.
Looking back, I often feel that if I had been engaged in something meaningful, like the GAP programme. I would have gained life skills and vocational exposure and stayed engaged until Form 5.
I know my experience is not unique; it reflects that of thousands of girls across Tanzania.
A deep dive into the issue we’re tackling
Empowering girls to complete and make use of their education is one of the most effective tools to break the poverty cycle and inequality.
Whilst nearly 4 in 10 Tanzanian girls complete Form 4 (GCSEs equivalent), those who do often face a 6-8 month gap before Form 5 – an extraordinarily risky period where dropouts, early pregnancy, or marriage can derail their education.
3.2 million children aged 7–17 are out of school in Tanzania. (UNICEF)
Only 3.3% of the Tanzanian workforce is highly skilled, compared to the national target of 12% (National Development Plan)
In Tanzania, 45% of children in urban areas attend secondary school, compared to only 19% of children in rural areas. (EPDC)
In Arumeru District, over half of adolescent pregnancies occurred during the 8-month gap after Form 4. (BFA Jamii Yetu Cluster Report, 2023)
Invest in a girl’s future
With a firm belief and an open heart, we’re confident that this programme will enable girls in rural East Africa to defy the odds stacked against them. For this pilot, all donations will be match-funded so we need to raise £19k. As a partner you’ll receive individualized monthly updates, branding opportunities and field visit opportunities.
FULL PROJECT SUPPORT: £19K
Includes: research, curriculum development, community engagement, staff / facilitator salaries, safe venue hire for 6 months, sponsoring of 30 beneficiaries (daily transport, food, supplies)
There is the opportunity to ringfence your donation by sponsoring one phase of the project or purchasing dedicated equipment.
SPONSOR ONE GIRL: £800
Includes: six months of daily learning activities, daily transport to venue, daily meals, school and personal supplies
SPONSOR A PEER GROUP: £8K
The opportunity to support 10 of the girls on the programme – it includes all of the individual needs of the group.
Includes: six months of daily learning activities, daily transport to venue, daily meals, school and personal supplies for 30 beneficiaries
Support us via the QR code to the left or donate directly to our organisation
We’ve kept costs as lean as possible. The curriculum development and school van is a one-off cost that is integral to the scalability of the programme. You can donate via the link or directly to our implementing partner (BFA) – in both cases, 100% of funds will go directly to the project.
Every contribution creates a ripple effect and together, we can ensure that
geography doesn’t determine destiny
Meet the team
A strong charitable programme starts with the people driving it. That’s why we’ve partnered with Builders of Future Africa (BFA) who’ve been implementing Education, Health and Gender programmes in Arusha for 13+ years.
Rhea Patel
Founder, GAP
Rhea has dedicated the last 3 years to connecting funders with impactful
projects in Tanzania.
Through her On Purpose fellowship with the UK Government’s Volunteering Strategy and NatWest Social & Community Capital, Rhea gained expertise in social impact investment and programme development.
In 2024, Rhea partnered with an NGO to launch a coaching and microfinance scheme for single mothers in Arusha
Elisante Ephrahim
ED at Builders of Future Africa
14 years of experience in impactful youth-led development and policy advocacy.
Elisante has led donor-funded projects under partners such as USAID and Mastercard Foundation.
Current Chairperson of the National
Council for NGOs (NaCoNGO) in Arusha, representing over 500 organisations.
Recognized as the nonprofit CEO of the Year (Tanzania Top 100 Executives, 2021).
Daniel Paulo Msigwa
Programme Manager, Builders of Future Africa
8 years of experience in youth
development and mentorship.
Led and empowered 500+ individuals
through the Salaam Mentoring Program and the High School Leadership Program under Cornerstone Development Africa.
Daniel serves actively in the community fields and enjoys this work deeply, as it fuels his passion for serving others.
Leah Paulo
Programme Officer, Builders of Future Africa
Leah holds a degree in education and has extensive experience working with teen moms and the Maasai community.
She has previously served as both a social worker and project manager, turning her academic background into impactful, community-driven action.
Her work focuses on advancing educational equity, especially for girls who face multiple barriers to schooling.
Together, let’s turn the gap into a bridge.
Right now, too many girls are left vulnerable to gaps from schooling and without support, this can lead to increased rates of child marriage, early pregnancy and lost dreams.
GAP changes that story. We give girls a safe space, tools and the confidence to build a brighter future. With your support, we can keep more girls in school and break cycles of poverty.
We’ve kept costs as lean as possible. The curriculum development and purchase of a school van are one-off cost that are integral to the scalability of the programme. You can donate via the link or directly to our organization in both cases, 100% of funds will go directly to the project.