Life-Changing Mentorship for Tanzanian Girls

Last month for Earth Day, Daring Girls celebrated the graduating Kisa Scholars who dedicate their 2 Day Challenge (2DC) projects to creating healthier, cleaner environments in their schools and communities.

Supported by Rick Steves Climate Smart Grants, these projects are implemented each year by our sister organization GLAMI in Tanzania, and serve as the capstone project of Kisa Project, a 2-year socially responsible leadership course.

The 2026 Y2 Kisa Scholars are wrapping up implementation of their projects, so here are a few environmentally-focused projects completed by last year’s 2025 graduating class:

Kisa Project scholars from Arusha Girls High School identified environmental pollution at Makabe Primary School caused by the absence of stable dustbins, as waste was being collected in sacks hung on trees, creating an unhealthy and visually poor learning environment. To address this challenge, the scholars designed and installed a durable metal dustbin with a stand to provide a long-term waste management solution. Through this project, 12 Kisa scholars collaborated with students and school administration, demonstrating leadership, teamwork, cooperation, and problem-solving skills during implementation.

Kisa Project scholars from Arusha Girls High School identified youth unemployment and malnutrition among children and young people at Sinoni Orphanage Centre, caused by limited funding and lack of entrepreneurship skills for sustainable food production. To address this, the scholars provided entrepreneurship training to 25 youths and established three large vegetable terraces while planting 12 fruit trees to improve nutrition and create income-generating opportunities. This project is expected to improve the health and nutrition of approximately 70 beneficiaries while promoting long-term food security and sustainable livelihood opportunities for the community.

Kisa Project scholars from Arusha Girls High School identified poor waste management at Mawenzi Primary School caused by a lack of secure dustbins, leading to littering, health risks, and environmental pollution after previously provided plastic bins were repeatedly stolen. To address this challenge, the scholars installed and cemented one durable metal dustbin to prevent theft and established an environmental club responsible for proper waste management under teacher supervision. Through this initiative, nine Kisa scholars improved sanitation conditions for over 500 students and teachers, promoting environmental conservation and reducing health risks associated with unmanaged waste.

Kisa Project scholars identified challenges in sanitary pad disposal at Tarakea Secondary School due to a small and open incinerator that left waste unburnt during rainy seasons, contributing to environmental pollution and time loss for students responsible for disposal. To address this issue, the scholars constructed a larger, modern incinerator equipped with a chimney system to improve efficient and safe burning of sanitary waste. The completed project provides a sustainable sanitation solution that benefits all day and boarding girls by improving hygiene, saving time, and protecting the school environment.

Kisa Project scholars identified environmental challenges at Olback Secondary School, including soil erosion that created valleys and strong winds that disrupted classroom learning due to limited tree cover. To address this, 12 Kisa scholars from Oshara planted 19 trees, including fruit, shade, and protective fence trees, to stabilize the soil and reduce wind impact. This initiative improved the school environment and learning conditions, positively impacting more than 300 students.

Interested in learning more about *all* of the 2-Day Challenge projects completed by last year’s graduating Kisa class? Head to this post for the full recap.