Sayansi Ambassadors was founded by Elitumaini Swai, a passionate educator and changemaker from the small town of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Raised in a community where educational resources were often limited, Elitumaini experienced firsthand the challenges of accessing quality learning materials and hands-on experiences. Despite these obstacles, she was determined to excel in her studies and create a brighter future for herself and others in her community.

Her hard work and dedication led her to receive a merit-based scholarship to study abroad at the United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA) in Singapore and later at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) in the United States. During her time abroad, Elitumaini became deeply involved in various educational programs, including the Engineering Ambassadors Program, where she was hired as a Program Assistant. This experience had a transformative impact on her: she saw how hands-on learning could engage students and help them grasp complex scientific and engineering concepts in a way that was both practical and exciting.

While working with students, Elitumaini reflected on her own educational journey and wondered how different her experience might have been if she had access to the same kind of interactive, real-world learning opportunities. This realization sparked an idea: what if she could bring this model of education back to her home country in Tanzania?

Determined to make a change, Elitumaini applied for and received a grant through The Davis Project for Peace, facilitated by the WPI Global School. This grant enabled her to launch the first hands-on science initiative, performing electricity circuit experiments with students in the Arusha Chini ward in Moshi, Kilimanjaro. While working with local STEM teachers, Elitumaini quickly realized that the lack of resources was a major barrier to delivering hands-on learning experiences. One teacher even shared an example of how students were supposed to learn computer skills by grade 5, but due to limited resources, they often skipped these essential lessons. "Can you imagine how you teach a student to bold or italicize using chalk and board? It's impossible," one teacher said. This conversation inspired Elitumaini to seek more resources to bring about real change.

Elitumaini went on to apply for a Women Impact Network (WIN) Program grant at WPI, which allowed her to purchase computers for schools in the region. This move had an immediate and powerful impact. It not only introduced students to technology but also empowered female students by hiring female program assistants and giving young girls leadership roles in workshops. The computers and programs sparked enthusiasm, and for the first time, many students were able to engage with technology in a meaningful way.

The WIN grant also helped launch Sayansi Ambassadors’ Girl-Child Program, which connects female doctors to young girls, teaching them about menstrual hygiene and helping to normalize conversations around this often-taboo topic. In addition to this, the WIN grant played a pivotal role in expanding Sayansi Ambassadors’ reach, helping to purchase necessary resources, and even facilitating the organization’s official registration as an NGO. The organization’s growing success is a testament to the ongoing support from partners like WPI Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre, which continues to provide mentorship and resources.

Today, Elitumaini and Sayansi Ambassadors are poised to take the next major step forward. One of their exciting collaborations is with the Institute for Human Education, whose Solutionary Framework perfectly aligns with Sayansi Ambassadors' mission of Training the Trainer. This partnership will focus on equipping educators with the skills and tools necessary to teach a project-based curriculum that fosters innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. The Solutionary Framework encourages students to become Solutionaries—young leaders who actively seek innovative solutions to the problems facing their communities while ensuring they do the most good and the least harm to everyone in the ecosystem.

This approach fits seamlessly with Sayansi Ambassadors' commitment to preparing educators to deliver impactful, hands-on learning experiences that encourage students to think critically, creatively, and responsibly. Elitumaini is thrilled about bringing this model to teachers in the Arusha Chini and Mabogini wards, with plans to expand across the Moshi District and Kilimanjaro Region and eventually to the entire country. The goal is clear: to empower a new generation of Tanzanian students—one that is prepared not just to learn but to lead in creating solutions that drive positive change in their societies.

From her humble beginnings in Kilimanjaro to creating a movement that’s inspiring change across Tanzania, Elitumaini Swai’s vision for Sayansi Ambassadors continues to grow—fueled by a belief that hands-on science education has the power to transform lives, communities, and the future of Tanzania itself.