The Year Ahead - 2018

While 2017 saw some of the biggest developments to date- including a complete rebrand of our organization and expansion to a second campus, we are extremely excited about what lies ahead this year.

As we enter our 13th year in operation, we have some big plans on the horizon. Not only are we continuing to develop our second campus in Kahunda, where we anticipate accepting our first residential girls and developing our Early Childhood Center this year, but in many of our programs, we are excited to partner with both private organizations and the Tanzanian government to use our model to effect larger-scale change. 

Mainsprings' second campus in Kahunda

Toward the end of 2017, three of our staff members became certified in Permaculture Design in Kenya, which will allow us to have more professional and certificate-bearing permaculture seminars on both of our campuses this year. This ultimately helps subsistence farmers better utilize their own land to feed their families, turn a profit, and restore the environment to a more natural landscape. As our own permaculture farm grows on both campuses, we also anticipate having record-breaking harvests and profits from the farm in 2018!

This past year we also partnered with several governmental and private schools to expand our adolescent reproductive health curriculum, ultimately allowing youth, especially girls, to understand their rights and roles in society and how to live a healthy life. We plan to continue to partner with the same (and more schools) in 2018, which will enable us to implement this curriculum and relay this valuable education to thousands of underprivileged youth in the region.

And, we would be remiss to not celebrate the yearly turnover that is happening in our residential

program. Every December, more girls graduate from our secondary school, realizing their dreams of higher education and the ability to live a prosperous life. While it is always sad to see them leave our house, we know that they will always be a part of the Mainsprings family and that it means we are able to accept more vulnerable girls into our family. With four graduates ‘leaving the nest’ in 2017, this means 4 new girls will be able to call Mainsprings home in 2018.

While we could write pages and pages about other exciting plans we have this year, these are just a few of the many exciting things we anticipate for 2018 and we would not be able to do it without your support! It is amazing what YOU have accomplished over these past 12 years and all of us- from the tiniest preschoolers to our entire board and staff- are extremely grateful that you continue to help us grow and work to end poverty- one child, one community at a time!

Guest Blogger Chris Gates is Mainsprings' Founder & CEO.

Staff Spotlight: Mama Paulina

Editor's Note: This Staff Spotlight highlights Mama Paulina, who has been a matron at our Bibi Mimi's Girls' Home on our flagship campus of Kitongo, but who will be moving to our second campus in Kahunda to become the Head Matron of our girls home.

How long have you been working for Mainsprings?:

"I have been working for Mainsprings for four years."

What is your job position and what are some of your responsibilities?:

"I am a matron in the girls' home here in Kitongo, and I will be the manager of the Kahunda girls' home. My main responsibilities are to take care of the girls and make sure of their safety and the campus safety. I also make reports."

What is your favorite thing about working at Mainsprings?:

"I like that Mainsprings takes care of their workers. Also, they help us to solve the problems that we face. We are a family and that's why we end up doing a really good job!"

What are the biggest challenges you face with your job?:

"The challenges I face are normal challenges that all parents have, like making sure the girls follow the rules, do their chores, etc.

 Are you looking forward to your move to Kahunda as a manager?:

"Yes! I am really happy that I have been given this opportunity. First of all, I love to be a matron and I love children. So I'm happy that I have been given this opportunity to continue learning ad have more responsibilities. I'm looking forward to continue learning and growing as a worker and as a person. I'm going to be a manager and I take that position really seriously. I'm going to work really hard to achieve mine and the organization's goals."

What are you most nervous/anxious about with the move?:

"I'm nervous about getting to know my new boss! I'm used to working with Seth, Melinda, and Paula, and now that is going to change. I will now get to work with Mr. Lyimo!"

And finally, what will you miss most about the Kitongo Campus?:

"I'll miss the girls a lot.  I've been with them for a long time and I love them so much. I will also miss my bosses here, and in general, I'm going to miss the people from this campus because we are a big family!"