What began as a simple, hopeful request at a medical camp has blossomed into a transformative, global initiative that is rewriting the futures of vulnerable girls in Mugumu, Mara Region.

When the Give a Future Foundation hosted one of its free medical camps in northern Tanzania, representatives from the Hope for Girls Centre approached the organizers with a modest question: “Would it be possible for our girls to attend?”

The response from Rishen Patel, founder of Delaware Investments and the Give a Future Foundation, was immediate and unconditional: “Bring everyone.”

That single moment marked the birth of a profound partnership. What started as healthcare outreach quickly evolved into a comprehensive support system for more than 100 girls who have fled, or are at high risk of, female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, and other systemic abuses.

The Hope for Girls Centre serves as a critical sanctuary, offering refuge, protection, and education to those escaping harmful traditional practices. Despite the profound trauma of their pasts, the girls remain fiercely focused on their futures, attending school, forging lifelong friendships, and reclaiming their agency.

Reflecting on his first visit to the shelter, Patel recalled how deeply he was moved by their spirit.

“When I first visited the center, what struck me wasn’t the hardship, it was the resilience of the girls,” Patel said.

“Despite everything they had been through, they were smiling, studying, dreaming, and planning their futures. I left knowing we had a responsibility to do more. What has amazed me most since then is how many people have stepped forward and asked the same question: ‘How can I help?'”

As word spread, the influx of girls seeking safety began to strain the center’s limited resources. More than 100 girls were living in cramped, rented accommodations, making the need for a permanent, spacious, and sustainable sanctuary increasingly urgent.

The turning point came in 2025. During a trip to the Serengeti, Indian film icon and philanthropist Nagarjuna Akkineni learned about the center and asked to visit. Moved by the girls’ courage and the staff’s dedication, Nagarjuna immediately stepped up, pledging to cover the food expenses for all the girls at the center for an entire year.

But his commitment did not stop there. As discussions turned toward building a permanent home for the girls, Nagarjuna pledged significant financial backing to help turn that dream into reality.

This new, permanent campus is designed to be far more than just a shelter. It is envisioned as a holistic, self-sustaining community featuring modern residential dormitories, classrooms, vocational and skills-training workshops, a library, healthcare facilities, sports and recreation areas, and agricultural spaces to support long-term food security. It will be a place where young women can heal, learn, and cultivate the skills needed to build independent lives.

For Rhobi Samwelly, an FGM survivor and the visionary founder of Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania, this upcoming milestone represents the culmination of a lifetime of advocacy and personal sacrifice.

“I was cut because when I was a girl, no safe house existed for me to run to. That pain is why I build safe houses today. I give thanks to Mapito Safari Camp Serengeti, Give a Future Foundation, Nagarjuna, and all who work for free and donate. Because of you, construction of the modern Serengeti Safe House Complex will start soon, “says Rhobi Samwelly, FGM Survivor & Founder, Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania

The momentum surrounding the project has ignited a true community movement. Among the key local supporters is the team at Mapito Safari Camp, whose staff regularly volunteers at the center. They provide hands-on mentorship, life skills, and practical vocational training to complement the girls’ formal education.

What makes this project truly extraordinary is its collaborative spirit. It has united a diverse, global network of allies—from corporate leaders and international philanthropists to local community volunteers and wilderness camps—all bound by the shared conviction that every girl deserves a safe place to grow.

Today, what began as a simple “small request” in Mugumu has built a bridge to safety, dignity, and endless possibilities for the next generation of women in Tanzania.