We created Girls First Initiative (GFI) to address the persistent cycles of poverty, early marriage, school dropout, and gender-based violence that limit the potential of adolescent girls and their families in Tanzania. Growing up, we witnessed firsthand how systemic barriers—economic hardship, limited access to education, and lack of support—trap girls in situations that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Short-term aid alone was insufficient to create lasting change.
GFI was designed as a sustainable, community-led model that empowers girls through education, mentorship, life skills, and scholarships, while simultaneously equipping caregivers—especially women—with the skills, financial tools, and knowledge to support their families. By reinvesting resources through women-led cooperatives, the model creates a ripple effect: educated and empowered girls grow into women who transform their families and communities.
Our innovation not only provides immediate support but also strengthens the broader ecosystem to ensure that future generations of girls have access to education, economic opportunities, and social empowerment. In this way, GFI tackles both the symptoms and root causes of inequality, enabling lasting societal change.
In practice, Girls First Initiative (GFI) empowers adolescent girls and their communities through a holistic, sustainable approach. We identify girls at risk of school dropout, early marriage, or early pregnancy and provide scholarships, mentorship, life skills, and vocational training to ensure they remain in school and develop leadership and economic capabilities.
Simultaneously, we work with caregivers—especially women—providing financial literacy, entrepreneurial training, and tools for household resilience, enabling them to actively support girls’ education and growth. Resources generated through women-led cooperatives are reinvested to support the next cohort of girls, creating a self-sustaining, community-led cycle of empowerment.
Our model engages the broader community to challenge harmful social norms, promote gender equality, and foster a culture of education and opportunity. The result is a ripple effect: educated girls become empowered women who uplift families and transform communities, generating lasting societal change that extends to future generations
Girls First Initiative (GFI) has been spreading through a combination of community engagement, partnerships, and peer-to-peer impact. Our model starts with small cohorts of adolescent girls and caregivers in target communities, and the results inspire neighboring families and villages to get involved. Educated and empowered girls become role models, encouraging other girls to stay in school and participate in the program.
We also collaborate with local organizations, schools, and community leaders to scale our reach. Women-led cooperatives reinvest resources, enabling the program to grow sustainably and reach new cohorts. Through workshops, mentorship, and advocacy, GFI’s approach spreads organically, creating a ripple effect: each empowered girl and caregiver influences peers, families, and communities, gradually transforming social norms around education, gender equality, and economic empowerment
Since its inception, Girls First Initiative (GFI) has evolved to better address the needs of girls and their communities. Initially focused on scholarships and mentorship, we expanded the model to include financial literacy and entrepreneurial training for caregivers, enabling families to actively support girls’ education and economic independence.
We also introduced women-led cooperatives to reinvest resources, creating a sustainable cycle of empowerment and increasing the program’s scalability. In response to community feedback, we integrated peer-to-peer learning, vocational training, and discussions on sexual and reproductive health, ensuring girls gain both practical skills and confidence to navigate societal challenges.
These modifications have strengthened the ripple effect of our model: empowered girls become role models, caregivers become community champions, and social norms around education, gender equity, and economic opportunity are gradually shifting.
If you want to try Girls First Initiative (GFI), the first step is to connect with us to understand the model and how it can fit your community. You can start by:
Identifying the girls and caregivers in your community who would benefit from mentorship, scholarships, and skills training.
Engaging local leaders or organizations to support and adapt the program locally.
Partnering with GFI to access guidance, curriculum, and training resources.
Establishing women-led cooperatives or resource reinvestment mechanisms to sustain the program over time.
Tracking outcomes and sharing stories to create a ripple effect and inspire others to replicate the approach.
GFI provides support, mentorship, and practical tools to help communities implement the program successfully, ensuring that girls are empowered, caregivers are equipped, and social change spreads sustainably.
