As we recognise International Women’s Day on 8th March 2026 and this year's theme, “Give to Gain,” we’re reminded of how powerful generosity, opportunity, and community can be in creating lasting change. We are pleased to share an inspiring reflection from one of our colleagues, whose long‑standing connection with a community in Kilimanjaro brings these themes to life in a powerful and personal way.
Kathryn's story shows how opportunity, education, and solidarity can transform lives, and how giving creates impact far beyond what we often realise.
I first discovered International Women’s Day (IWD) when volunteering as an English teacher in primary schools in Kilimanjaro in 2002. It was a day of joy and celebration with women from the village where I was living dressed in their colourful kangas and met to share food, stories and dance.
I’ve been incredibly privileged to become part of that community having returned most years since then, initially to lead “holiday clubs” during the Christmas school break for the primary pupils I originally taught, and then to set up The Tumaini Trust to enable those students to continue their education as the local secondary school had closed.
In recent years The Tumaini Trust has changed direction so that we now partner with local women and girls to plant trees, address period poverty, keep bees and last year, to become Carbon Literate.
IWD is not only to celebrate our achievements but is also a call to action to stand up for women’s rights and gender equality. I am incredibly lucky to have had access to a good state education and healthcare my whole life. This has given me choices. I practised as a solicitor for many years, took numerous sabbaticals to volunteer abroad, retrained as a teacher, returned to university (twice!) and ultimately became an environmental and sustainability trainer with Astutis when in my 50’s.
These choices are not available to my friends in Tanzania. Access to quality state education and decent healthcare is limited, with boys often being prioritised over their sisters. Nevertheless, the achievements of the original girls who were supported by The Tumaini Trust to further their education is proof that when opportunities are presented women thrive. I’m so proud of the lawyer, accountant, teachers, social worker, hotel receptionist that those young women have become.
This year, Wema, from my original cohort in 2002 and now a trained lawyer, will be participating in an event where everyone will be wearing a dress made from the same material (kitenge) and meeting to discuss leadership, entrepreneurship, inclusion and empowerment. There will be music, dance and refreshments.
The Women’s Group, Village Environment and Development Group (VEDG) that The Tumaini Trust partners with to plant trees in Kilimanjaro and keep bees will also be celebrating their achievements.
I’m not sure what I will be doing this year, but it will be difficult to match the joy that exudes from the Tanzanian events.
@tumaini_trust
