We were honored to attend the Segal Family Foundation (SFF) conference in Nairobi, July 21–24. SFF may not be a household name, but they’re prominent and well-respected in our sector — the second-largest funder in sub-Saharan Africa by number of grants, behind only the Gates Foundation. They’re known for supporting high-impact organizations through rigorous vetting, so we’re grateful to be one of their longtime partners.

It was incredibly inspiring to be surrounded by hundreds of dynamic civil society leaders working passionately across the continent — every person I sat next to was more interesting than the last. I even got to meet the Executive Director of Shule Direct, the digital curriculum we provide in our schools, and share what teachers and students tell us about it (they love it). We talked about some of the new AI tools her team is building to help teachers put together lesson plans.

The conference was a wonderful opportunity to connect with potential funders and nonprofit collaborators. Many foundations are invitation-only, so meeting them in person is especially valuable. Partnering with other NGOs who also serve schools or youth in Tanzania could bring additional resources to the students we serve, or open the door to bringing computer labs to new communities, so I loved getting to meet potential partners.

I also had the chance to give Rich and Joanna Segal an in-person update, fresh off my school visits. Rich and Joanna are some of our most dedicated supporters, and I don’t get nearly enough one-on-one time with our donors, so it meant a lot to sit with them and share the excitement of my week in Tanzania.

This line of work can be emotionally draining — there’s always more to do, and more need in the world than any one person could solve in a lifetime.

This conference was a welcome reminder that the future is bright!

–Caitlin Kelley, Executive Director