Investing in Girls' Education: A Personal Journey from Bali

This past month, I found myself in Bali—not for leisure, but for work. It was a journey intertwined with my passion for girls' education, which I believe is the world's best investment. 

Let me take you back a bit. Years ago, I had the privilege of meeting John Wood, the visionary behind the successful global education non-profit Room to Read and now the founder of the girls' education non-profit U-Go. In 2022, I was among the inaugural investors in U-Go, committing to fund local university scholarships for girls across multiple Asian countries. For me, investing isn’t just about financial support. It’s about rallying others to the mission and our collective action.

I first connected to Nurturing Minds in 2018. My Tanzanian friend William told me of his father’s plans to marry off his 14-year-old younger sister Juliana. Raised in a Maasai village several hours from Morogoro, Juliana wanted to follow in her brother’s footsteps and receive an education. I asked my network for help. A friend introduced me to SEGA (Secondary Education for Girls’ Advancement), and Juliana showed up at the English Fluency program without knowing a word of English. In 2022, I brought a group of first-time Tanzania travelers to SEGA; we celebrated Juliana’s SEGA graduation.

Nurturing Minds has grown to be one of my girls’ education partners. I’m a SEGA scholarship supporter, serve on the Investment Committee, cultivate new donors, and regularly bring visitors to Tanzania, including a stay at SEGA.

Last year, Laura DeDominicis, Nurturing Minds’ Executive Director, shared that SEGA had a good problem– 75% of the graduating class was testing high enough on the government exams to qualify for university. They needed a sustainable funding source. Could John Woods’ U-Go be a potential partner?

I reached out to John. With a love for Tanzania from his Room to Read days and several shared supporters, John’s team agreed to explore the idea. As the two organizations finalized their partnership, John was approached by a couple interested in funding U-Go girls’ university scholarships. Still, they asked if the focus could be in Africa–specifically Tanzania. That couple’s generosity helped fund the launch of the U-Go and Nurturing Minds partnership.

It was a joy to celebrate at U-Go's Global Partners Conference in Bali last month, along with Laura DeDominicis and Pauline Rusisye, Director of Graduate Programs at SEGA. We were among 75 attendees–U-Go investors, leaders from other U-Go partners in Asia, and 20 U-Go scholars from Indonesia. We immersed ourselves in discussions and actions to advance girls' university education worldwide. 

I’m often asked how I became passionate about girls’ education. My answer? I'm a former girl whose life was transformed by going to college. Growing up, I was inspired by my single mom's struggles and sacrifices to pursue a mid-life nursing degree. I had limited guidance in navigating the complexities of pursuing my own higher education. But fueled by determination, I figured out financial aid and was accepted at a leading U.S. private university.

When I hear girls like the scholars in Bali share their challenges–fear of failure, pressure to succeed, sense of isolation–I feel their struggles. I also see their resilience and support of each other. That’s what gives me hope. 

My experience supporting Juliana reminds me that investing in girls' education isn't just about numbers but also personal empowerment and impact. It's about giving girls the tools to rewrite their stories. I'm grateful for the universities and organizations like U-Go, Nurturing Minds, and SEGA, as well as the people I meet worldwide who are dedicated to making education accessible to all.

My days in Bali reminded me of the transformative power of girls’ education. It's not just an investment but a catalyst for change.

Supporting a scholarship for a SEGA student is a meaningful way to support our important work and connect with and follow the progress of one SEGA student. It gives you a first-hand experience of seeing how your contribution to the school makes a difference, offers a cultural exchange, and helps the students improve their English. Click here to learn more.