Empowering Maasai girls through entrepreneurship
Beyond the traditional African charity models, MGRC is a catalyst for sustainable change. We’re committed to empowering Maasai girls by equipping them with the skills and resources they need to thrive.
Imagine combining compassion with business acumen. That’s the heart of our approach. By applying entrepreneurial principles to humanitarian efforts, we’re creating a sustainable solution to the challenges faced by Maasai girls.
Our mission
- Rescue: Provide immediate care to the most vulnerable Maasai girls, ensuring they have food, shelter, medical attention, and a safe environment.
- Empower: Build a sustainable social enterprise that equips these girls with the skills and resources to break free from poverty and achieve financial independence.
How we achieve this
- Needs assessment: We identify the most pressing needs of Maasai girls and develop tailored solutions.
- Strategic planning: We create a comprehensive business plan that outlines our goals, strategies, and resource allocation.
- Local partnerships: We work closely with local communities and organizations to ensure our initiatives are culturally relevant and sustainable.
By investing in the potential of Maasai girls, we’re building a brighter future for individuals, communities, and the entire region. Join us in empowering the next generation of strong, independent women.
The Maasai girls are rescued from far distances in Tanzania, many of whom have never attended school and some with significant medical issues. Extreme poverty, FGM, and child marriage are sadly common experiences.
Our local entrepreneurial team operates based on these four tenets
- We have a vision to give Maasai girls and the larger Tanzanian community a real opportunity at lasting change.
- We have an innovative entrepreneurial plan that will facilitate that change.
- We monitor key performance indicators to ensure progress and make adjustments as needed. KPIs measured monthly:
- Academic performance
- Emotional, spiritual and physical wellness
- Skills/vocational training
- Farm production and output
- Donor and sponsor activity
- We are creating sustainable results that will solidify this change in current and future lives.
By transforming these tenets into deliberate and measurable actions, we empower Maasai girls with the necessary resources and education to become confident, financially secure, and self-sufficient women.
Empowering through entrepreneurship
At MGRC, we’re more than just a African charity. We’re a catalyst for sustainable change, transforming the lives of Maasai girls through education and economic opportunities. We have developed a sustainable social enterprise model that provides girls with the skills and resources they need to break free from poverty and achieve financial independence.
How we’re making a difference:
- Education and Training: We provide girls with essential life skills, including agricultural training, hospitality management, and counseling.
- Economic Empowerment: Our ecoFarm and ecoLodge provide hands-on experience and opportunities for financial independence.
- Community Development: We collaborate with local schools and communities to foster a supportive environment for girls.
- Quality of Life: We ensure our residents have access to safe, comfortable living conditions, including modern amenities and nutritious meals.
Why MGRC is unique
Unlike many short-term aid organizations, MGRC focuses on long-term sustainable development. We’re investing in the future of Maasai girls by empowering them to become self-sufficient and contribute positively to their communities.
By supporting MGRC, you’re helping to build a more sustainable and equitable future for Maasai girls and local communities. Together, we can empower the next generation of strong, independent women.
75% of our girls are in the top 25% of their class!
Expanding our impact: Building a sustainable community
To further our mission of empowering Maasai girls and fostering sustainable development, we’ve established the MGRC ecoVillage. In the scenic hills of Karatu, this innovative project features eco-friendly housing, educational facilities, sustainable agricultural initiatives, and community spaces. By creating a thriving community, we’re providing Maasai girls with the tools they need to succeed and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Key features of the ecoVillage
- EcoFarm: Providing fresh, organic produce to support our community and generate income.
- EcoHomes: Offering safe and comfortable housing for 120 girls and their house mothers.
- Educational Facilities: A preschool and career center to equip girls with essential skills.
- Community Spaces: A dining hall, sports field, running track, livestock barns, and gardens.
- EcoLodge with Villas: Providing accommodations for volunteers, visitors, and tourists, while also creating job opportunities for the local community.
Developing local Tanzanian leaders
MGRC was started by one individual with a dream, but it has grown beyond that. With hard work, generous donors, sponsors, and dedicated locals, lasting ties with the community have been developed. Talented Tanzanians who share the same values and ideas have been invested in.
Today, the MGRC ecoVillage and ecoFarm are managed by these Tanzanians, with Rick playing a role in providing overall direction. The day-to-day operations are managed by a capable leadership team of Tanzanians.
Frequently asked questions
What sets MGRC apart from another African charity that has good intentions but are facing difficulties?
Most charitable organizations prioritize meeting the immediate needs of shelter, health, safety, nutrition, and education. However, our mission goes beyond that.
MGRC aims to disrupt the cycle of poverty for the most vulnerable Maasai girls by deliberately and purposefully equipping them with the tools they need to achieve financial independence and self-sufficiency in the future.
We accomplish this by tailoring a career path for each girl that aligns with her unique abilities, talents, and aspirations, ensuring it will pave the way towards economic autonomy.
How well is the sustainable community approach working?
Maasai Girls Rescue Center (MGRC) has quickly transformed from a single act of kindness into a 10-acre ecoVillage.
This ecoVillage includes a thriving ecofarm that provides an abundance of food for over 70 Maasai girls and Tanzanian staff. The Center features homes, a multipurpose facility, a playground, and a sports field.
The girls residing in the ecoVillage are not only learning valuable life skills but also receiving vocational training and pursuing their academic education according to their individual paths. Our first group of graduates have successfully completed internships and are now self-sufficient members of the local community.
Without the rescue efforts of MGRC, these disadvantaged Maasai girls would have never had such opportunities and would still be living in the bush.
What are some ways I can help make an impact and contribute to positive change?
There are numerous ways to contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty among the Maasai community.
Aside from sponsoring a girl, you can support the fulfillment of the ecoLodge’s vision, which will ensure a stable income for MGRC. Your time is also incredibly valuable. Consider volunteering locally or directly with the girls when you visit MGRC. We offer a gift catalog where you can choose how your donation will be utilized, or you can make a one-time or recurring donation and trust that we will allocate it to the most pressing needs.
