ORKEESWA
Youth-driven, community-led development in Tanzania.
Through accessible, high-quality, community-based education and leadership development, Orkeeswa cultivates thoughtful decision-makers and creative problem-solvers prepared to achieve their own vision for impact.
WHY?
Communities worldwide face systemic challenges with economic inequality, gender discrimination, environmental degradation, access to high-quality social services, and more. In our rural Maasai community in Tanzania, these challenges are exacerbated by unique social and cultural circumstances, and compounded by a severe lack of basic resources. The challenges communities face are complex and interconnected, and call for solutions that are creative and collaborative. Our work cultivates young leaders across disciplines, developing a network of community-driven innovators who can collaboratively create healthy, thriving communities.
EDUCATION IN TANZANIA
Many young people across Tanzania are unable to access one of the key drivers of social change: Education.
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Almost 70% of children aged 14–17 years are not enrolled in secondary education.
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In the country’s rural communities living in poverty, less than 3% of students access the 11th and 12th grades.
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These rates are significantly lower for girls in rural areas where traditions such as early marriage keep girls from continuing their education.
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For those students who are able to attend secondary school, an educational system carried over from traditional colonial structures limits creativity, collaboration, and community engagement.
OUR MODEL
Using the community as a classroom, we invest in student-centered, skills-based learning for young people at three critical points:
Orkeeswa Outreach utilizes trained and motivated Orkeeswa student and alumni leaders to run holistic programming in local primary schools.
Orkeeswa School provides high-quality academics, robust co-curricular programs, student wellness services, and community-based leadership through a holistic secondary school experience.
Orkeeswa Incubator supports the ongoing impact of alumni through professional development, higher education scholarships, and small grants and mentorship for entrepreneurs.
