Elitumaini Swai, born and raised in a small town in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, earned a merit-based scholarship to study abroad in Singapore and later in the United States. While working as a Program Assistant for the Engineering Ambassadors Program, she saw the power of hands-on learning and wondered how it could have shaped her early education.

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Determined to bring this experience back home, she secured her first grant, The Davis Projects for Peace, through WPI Global School, launching STEM workshops in Arusha Chini, Moshi. Teachers highlighted the challenge of limited resources, sharing how students were taught computing concepts like bolding text without ever using a computer. Motivated by this, Elitumaini secured further funding from WPI’s Women Impact Network (WIN) to provide computers, expand access, and launch the Girl Child Program, connecting female doctors with young girls for hands-on menstrual hygiene education.

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Since then, Sayansi Ambassadors has grown with support from WPI’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center, which has provided funding and mentorship. WIN has remained a strong partner, helping formalize Sayansi Ambassadors as an NGO and expand its programs.

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Looking ahead, Elitumaini is excited about a new partnership with the Institute for Humane Education, bringing their Solutionary framework to teachers in Arusha Chini and Mabogini Wards, with plans to expand across Moshi District and Kilimanjaro Region.

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We are deeply grateful to our mentors: Abel Curtis, Beth Alleto, Joseph Doiron, Kristie DeJesus, and Steven McCauley.