Our Stories

Our teams in Kenya and Tanzania are the backbone of our organisation. Every day, they are working to ensure that children across Tanzania and Kenya can break the cycle of poverty through access to quality education. Our entire on-the-ground team is made up of local nationals who have a deep, nuanced and culturally appropriate understanding of the multiple barriers that exist to education in the areas where we work.

Since 2009, So They Can’s reach is 56,000 children across 55 partner government schools.

Our Local Leaders Series is an opportunity to spotlight the pioneering staff that are leading our programs on-the-ground in Kenya and Tanzania. In this profile, we are delighted to introduce our supporters to Roselyne Mariki, Country Manager, Tanzania.

What is your role at So They Can? 
I started in October 2022 and I lead our holistic Education Program in marginalised rural school communities in the Babati region of Tanzania. We reach 21,839 students across 34 schools annually. I drive the growth of the organisation’s 3 Phase Sustainable Development Model and strengthen partnerships for advocacy and influence. My team fosters direct partnerships with local and national governments, education stakeholders, teachers, parents and school communities to implement our Education Program. 

I love that my role at So They Can allows me to champion quality education for children in underserved communities. I am particularly passionate about mentorship and girls’ participation in STEM, and advancing opportunities for women. I believe that every child has the right to the resources that allow them to live a healthy life with dignity, purpose and community.

What is your professional background?
Before joining So They Can, I worked as a Chemical and Process Engineer. In addition to experience in business development, climate change initiatives, renewable energy, forestry, and community transformation, I pioneered innovative projects including small renewable energy frameworks in collaboration with the Tanzanian Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA). I also contributed to the world’s first forestry carbon offset project, while leading impactful community outreach in rural areas.

I was also a former National Director of Lyra Tanzania, and elected and served a term as the Board Vice Chair of the Tanzania Education Network (TEN/MET) up until October 2023. In my role as Board Vice Chair, I represented more than 255 education CSOs nationwide. I use the skills from these roles to lead So They Can’s Tanzania office every day.

I also take the opportunity to regularly advocate for So They Can’s work at the international and national education policy level. I regularly sit on education and STEM panels, such as TENMET’s 5th International Quality Education Conference (IQEC) in September 2025: “Strengthening Systems and Investments: Advancing Domestic Resource Mobilization for Inclusive, Quality and Sustainable Education in Africa”. I was also a panelist for the Q&A “Education in Africa: Why bother?” hosted by Macquarie Bank in Sydney 2025, and the US Exchange Alumni Thematic International Seminar in Egypt in 2023.

Can you tell us a little about your culture, country, identity or community?
I was born to parents from two different tribes with different cultures: the Chagga and Sambaa people. I love my country Tanzania, I love our people, I love how we are socially connected, I love that we live in harmony regardless of tribes or religion. I love the warm smiles, the food which varies across the country, and I do love the changing landscapes as one travels across the country.

What motivates you in your role at So They Can?
The opportunity to make a difference each day and the opportunity to learn so much more from the communities and the children we serve. I love them, they make me a better person every day. I’m also inspired by my colleagues and community who make this world a better place each day. Those who do not focus on barriers but instead focus on opportunities to do more. Those who do not define themselves through their background, colour, religion, or age – but just by their urge to use what they have to make a difference.

The So They Can Tanzania Team.

What is a project you’ve been working on at So They Can that you are particularly proud of?
It has been a privilege to work with So They Can’s “Parent Champions”. So They Can has 116 Parent Champions across Tanzania and Kenya. They are a dedicated network of 116 volunteers (local mothers and fathers) who are advocates for education, and are trained on how to access law enforcement, report crimes against children and support their communities.

In particular, they have played a critical role in the “My Voice” project in Tanzania. Responding to alarming rates of violence against children in the Manyara Region of Tanzania, the My Voice project is dedicated to empowering children to understand, claim and protect their rights. The My Voice project will reach 20,441 children across 29 primary schools and 5 secondary schools in 2026.

In 2025 the Parent Champions were formally recognised and registered by the Government of Tanzania for their work. We are now working on a Mobile App to ease their reporting and I can’t wait to see the impact it will have.
 

What is your vision for So They Can moving forward?
My vision is that So They Can grows both in impact and geographical coverage due to the nature of our 3 Phase Sustainable Development Model. By the end of 2027, and for the first time in Tanzania, we expect to exit from two thirds of our partner schools (10 in 2026, and a further 10 in 2027). This will allow us to evidence the effectiveness of our model and to expand to new schools or areas.

I also hope that So They Can continues to be a trusted and collaborative partner in Tanzania and Kenya. During my tenure at So They Can, I have been so proud to see our Tanzanian team develop new in-country partnerships (with both funders and implementers), including with the Japanese Embassy in Tanzania, the US Embassy in Tanzania, Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy, Le Solstice Foundation, Engineers Without Borders, Sun Partners International, Camara Education Tanzania, disability service providers Kafika House and Kyaro Assistive Tech, and ABC Impact. I believe these partnerships were fostered due to our values of hardwork, courage, commitment and connectedness and am excited for what the future holds.