2025 Annual Report: A year of transformative milestones
The year 2025 marked a transformative milestone in the sustainable, entrepreneurial vision of the Maasai Girls Rescue Center (MGRC) with the opening of the Maasai ecoLodge. Over the past five years, we have turned barren land into a thriving reality: acquiring property, building an inspiring vision, and successfully raising funds to bring the Maasai ecoVillage to life. I stand in absolute awe of MGRC’s remarkable progress and enduring success in the face of life’s many challenges.
Equally inspiring is the unwavering generosity of our donors and volunteers, the tireless dedication of our local Tanzanian staff, and—above all—the extraordinary resilience and strength of our girls.
Rising Above the Challenge
While we celebrated these milestones, 2025 also brought significant headwinds. Political unrest surrounding the presidential elections created an environment of uncertainty that overlapped with our ecoLodge soft opening in October. The uncertainty has negatively affected tourism in Tanzania for 2026, and maybe beyond. Unfortunately, this will push back our sustainably strategy by at least a year.
To navigate this period of unrest, we moved swiftly to establish and implement rigorous safety and security protocols. These measures ensured that every girl remained protected and accounted for, whether they were attending school or on-site at MGRC.
Here are a few highlights that fill me with the deepest pride:
- The ecoVillage vision becoming reality: The soft opening of the Maasai ecoLodge and expanded Maasai Cultural Center has created a sustainable foundation for our future.
- A successful holiday campaign: This initiative funded an expanded computer learning center, private schooling for eligible girls, and broader vocational training opportunities.
- Strategic partnerships: Collaborations with aligned organizations enabled us to deliver enhanced medical and health services to the girls.
- The growing confidence of our girls: Our students are mastering English and embracing leadership roles in school, church, and home.
- Educational advancement: We continue to see steady progress in both academic and vocational tracks, building skills for lifelong independence.
While the unrest temporarily slowed tourism, we anticipate bookings will improve as the region stabilizes. We are more excited than ever to welcome guests to a luxurious, authentic Maasai experience that promotes sustainability and cultural integrity.
I warmly invite you to take a few moments to explore our story: our progress, mission, and bold vision. Join us in this journey to deliver safety, hope, and opportunity to these extraordinary young women. Together, we’re not just rescuing girls; we’re building brighter futures.
Rick Morro, Founder
Maasai Girls Rescue Center
Who We Are
Our Mission: Rescue and transform the lives of at-risk Maasai girls by providing food and clothing, shelter, medical attention, counseling, spiritual development, education and training in a loving, familial, and safe environment. We purposely and intentionally prepare the girls for a future of financial independence and self-sufficiency.
Our Vision: Break the cycle of poverty and oppression in the Maasai Community by raising strong, financially independent and self-reliant women. MGRC women will possess the acumen, education, management skills, vocational training and life skills needed to be successful business owners, educators, professionals, community leaders and good parents. Our success utilizes a unique entrepreneurial model.
Celebrating Our Girls
Growth, Dreams & Bright Futures
We’re incredibly proud of the remarkable progress our girls made in 2025. Despite past hardships, they’re thriving with hope and determination.
- Education & Skills: Rose and Riziki earned top honors and were recognized at the Form Four graduation. Five girls completed Year 1 of the two-year baking and entrepreneurship program, gaining hands-on skills for independent futures.
- Spiritual & Cultural Growth: Fourteen girls received Confirmation, deepening faith and family bonds. Older girls mentor our youngest in all aspects of life, building true sisterhood. And Maasai culture sessions help preserve traditions and build pride.
- Language & Confidence: English skills have soared, empowering the girls to express dreams, ask bold questions, and connect globally.
- Tech Access: The computer lab expansion is sparking continued excitement in math, languages, and beyond—helping close opportunity gaps and broaden horizons.
- Health & Well-Being: Medical checkups were given to 61 girls and 9 staff. Ongoing health classes help the girls make informed choices about their bodies.
The ecoVillage
A Model of Sustainable eEmpowerment
The 15-acre Maasai ecoVillage serves as the heart and operational hub of the Maasai Girls Rescue Center (MGRC). It creates a safe, loving, and healthy home for rescued girls while building long-term sustainability. Once fully operational, it will generate steady income to support current and future residents.
Together, these elements form a powerful circular economy: The farm nourishes the community, the Cultural Center and ecoLodge will generate income and visitor engagement, ensuring MGRC can provide homes, a preschool, vocational training spaces, and more.
By equipping rescued girls with skills, confidence, and leadership, the ecoVillage breaks cycles of poverty—while demonstrating that luxury travel can deliver real social and environmental good.
MGRC ecoFarm
Our 3-acre organic permaculture farm, operational since 2021, continues to improve yields, efficiency, and techniques each year. It now produces the majority of fresh food for the girls, staff, and ecoLodge guests—driving self-reliance and reducing costs.
Maasai Culture Center (MCC)
Opened in 2025, the Center offers the most authentic and immersive Maasai experience in the area: village tours, beadwork workshops, traditional dances, spear throwing, storytelling, and more: sharing Maasai heritage while generating revenue and awareness.
Maasai ecoLodge
Launched in 2025, this newest addition features 12 eco-luxury villas that blend centuries of Maasai architecture with modern sustainable technologies. Guests enjoy farm-to-table meals and breathtaking Rift Valley views—creating a truly meaningful, impactful stay.
The ecoFarm
Nourishing Bodies, Minds, and Independence
The ecoFarm continued to expand production in 2025—producing 90%+ of the food (vegetables, milk, eggs, etc.) for over 100 people: girls, staff, and ecoLodge guests, at 25% of market cost.
Started in 2021 on barren land, the ecoFarm now houses cow and pig barns, chicken coops, hydroponics fodder building, rabbit house, farm worker housing, storage, and a biogas system. It uses innovative farming techniques and strong management systems to ensure success.
This 3-acre farm proves that impressive results can stem from intentional, sustainable choices rather than scale. The ecoFarm combines modern agricultural techniques with eco-conscious practices to create a strong model of sustainability. It gives young girls hands-on vocational training in farming, helping them build skills and independence. In doing so, it also supports the ecoVillage goal of true self-reliance.
Key accomplishments:
- Abundant harvests, zero waste: All year long, daily picks go straight to the kitchen—fresh, delicious, and efficient. Any leftovers feed farm animals—sustainability in action.
- Farm-to-table: Produce crosses the road, gets prepared, and served the same day; The organic food also supplies the Maasai ecoLodge, delighting guests with fresh, high quality nutritional food.
- Hands-on learning: Girls gain practical agriculture and permaculture skills, building confidence and future opportunities. In the kitchen, the girls learn how to efficiently and creatively use all foods produced.
- Management and oversight: Strong management and cost control methods reduce waste. All farm production is tracked daily to ensure efficient use and early detection of potential problems.
Maasai Culture Center
Preserving Heritage, Building a Future
During 2025, the Maasai Culture Center (MCC) expanded its offerings, earning the reputation as the most authentic cultural immersion experience in the area. Unlike staged attractions, MCC offers meaningful, hands-on programs, attracting tourists and ecoLodge guests while fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Beyond educating guests about the rich Maasai heritage, the Center plays a vital role in the entrepreneurial model that sustains the Maasai Girls Rescue Center (MGRC). It provides a sustainable path toward financial independence for the community
The Maasai Cultural Center beautifully connects the past and the future—honoring timeless Maasai traditions while securing brighter, more independent tomorrows for the girls and the entire community.
- Immersive experiences for all: Traditional high jumping, courting dances, spear throwing, beadwork, and more, bring Maasai culture to life. Often, the girls from MGRC join in the demonstrations, adding a special, personal touch that makes every visit unforgettable.
- Keeping girls connected to their roots: Through dedicated classes, our younger girls proudly embrace and preserve their cultural heritage. These sessions foster empowerment, strong identity, and a deep sense of pride in who they are.
- Revenue with real purpose: 100% of proceeds from the Maasai Cultural Center will flow directly into MGRC programs, supporting the girls well-being.
The ecoLodge
Meaningful Luxury that Powers Our Mission
2025 was a transformative year for the Maasai ecoLodge, as we moved from 18 months of construction into stunning reality. The ecoLodge serves as the cornerstone of the Maasai Girls Rescue Center’s self-sustaining entrepreneurial model, helping us move toward greater independence.
- Soft launch success: With construction complete—including the main lodge and eight villas—we welcomed our first guests in late 2025. They were moved by the personalized service, breathtaking valley views, and thoughtful Maasai-inspired design that feels both luxurious and authentic.
- More than luxury: Guests enjoy private decks overlooking the landscape and the Rift Valley, handcrafted local furnishings, fresh chef prepared farm-to-table meals from our ecoFarm, fair-wage jobs (especially for Maasai women), and organic, community-sourced supplies—creating a stay that’s truly purposeful. The adjacent MCC offers guests a truly immersive cultural experience, unlike any other in the country.
- A real step toward sustainability: This social enterprise will change how we operate—generating steady revenue instead of relying solely on donations. It creates meaningful jobs, helps preserve Maasai traditions, and provides the funding we need to rescue, educate, and empower even more girls for brighter futures.
Year in Review
In 2025, we didn’t add any new girls to the family. Our girls truly become sisters, helping each other grow, thrive, and find happiness. That year, two of our over 18 girls chose to be reunited with their extended families.
We’re proud to note that our digital and social media campaigns are successfully raising awareness about MGRC. It’s our hope that as our audience, donors, and sponsors grow, we can help more and more girls.
Status of Students
MGRC adopts the girls residing at the center.
Background of the Girls
Age & Number of Girls
Health Concerns on Arrival
* Eczema, parasites.
** Trachoma /leads to blindness, childhood tuberculosis, fluorosis (bent legs), club feet, severe vision problems.
Financials
January 2025 – December 2025
Expenses
Our charity management expenses are zero. This is because the founder, president, board of directors, angel donors, and fundraising team members are all unpaid volunteers or pro bono services. All expenditures are Tanzanian expenses used directly for the care of our girls or for building and maintaining the ecoVillage.
In 2025, our expense per girl did not remain under our target of $180 per month/per girl. The costs were $192 per month per girl. We had additional educational costs for private and vocational expenses. We are forecasting to keep all expenses other than tuition costs under $180 in 2026. For 2026 we have separately secured funding for tuition. This is significant, especially considering inflation affecting all our expenses and much higher educational costs. For instance, utility costs have more than doubled since 2024. By producing most of our food on our ecoFarm, we were able to effectively control costs and significantly improve the nutrition of our girls. Our improved business system provides a direct, daily-updated line-of-sight between our donations and actual expenses.
Expenses by Month ($ USD)
Expenses by Expense Category ($ USD)
Income & Capital Expenditures
MGRC made significant progress on our ecoVillage vision of building a financial sustainable home for the Maasai Girls Rescue Center. In 2025, we completed construction on the ecoLodge. This includes the main lodge—a central hub with check-in services, a farm-to-table restaurant, a bar, and gift shop—as well as eight luxury villas. These eco-friendly accommodations feature both single and double units, each with a private deck overlooking Rift Valley, a sitting area, and a well-appointed double sink bathroom with large shower and private water closet.
We are extremely proud of our local management team, who worked diligently with local construction companies to complete these projects on budget and on schedule. The expenditures below are cumulative through December 2025.
Annual Donations
Capital Expenditures by Project
Thank you
2025 was truly transformational—and every donor, volunteer, and staff member should stand proud of what we’ve accomplished together. Your unwavering support enabled us to fully fund and complete critical phases of the Maasai ecoLodge, welcoming our first guests in 2025. The Culture Center continues to earn kudos with guests by sharing Maasai traditions, heritage, and challenges through authentic, interactive experiences. The ecoLodge—along with the thriving Maasai Culture Center—now generates meaningful revenue, steadily reducing our reliance on donations while reinvesting directly in the local community.
Most importantly, our girls continue to flourish—excelling in academics (earning top honors and excellence awards), building vocational skills for promising futures and growing into confident, young leaders with grace and boundless potential.
We’re excited to host more guests at the ecoLodge and Culture Center in 2026, offering remarkable and meaningful experiences that also strengthen MGRC’s foundation for lasting financial independence. Challenges may lie ahead, but with your continued partnership, we’ll keep building on this momentum—ensuring the most at-risk Maasai girls live safe, empowered, and hope-filled lives.
