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In this episode, Meghann Gunderman Sehorn, founder and Executive Director of The Foundation For Tomorrow, talks about their inspiring work offering vulnerable children the opportunity to succeed through quality education.

The Charlotte, NC native credits her parents with her entrepreneurial and philanthropic spirit. At just 12 years old Meghann wrote and published an athletic log and diary for children and used the proceeds to fund her first non-profit, The Charlotte Youth Sports Foundation, to provide athletic opportunities for disadvantaged youth in North Carolina. Later, as part of her studies at the University of St. Andrews, Scotland, Meghann traveled to East Africa to do research and volunteer. This experience grabbed her and later called her away from her job at Barclays Capital. In late 2006 she founded and became Executive Director of The Foundation for Tomorrow (TFFT), a Tanzania-based NGO that focuses on providing access to quality education for orphaned and vulnerable children, educational reform through resourcing, and training teachers. To date, TFFT has invested over $8M in orphan and vulnerable children’s education and psychosocial support, Teachers Training initiatives, and Life-Skills Curriculum Development and Programming throughout Tanzania.

Still an avid runner, Meghann launched TEAM TFFT as a way to engage service and sport and spread awareness for TFFT. TEAM TFFT is a peer to peer giving platform that allows people to hike, bike, run and raise your way both domestically and in abroad. Meghann has lived and worked in the United States, the UK, and Tanzania and speaks both English and Kiswahili. She received a British Masters of Arts in International Relations and Human Geography with a focus in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East. Meghann was named one of SouthPark Magazine’s Women to Watch, and Charlotte’s 30 under 30 in 2013. She was also named Charlotte’s Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Outstanding Emerging Philanthropist, a World Economic Forum Global Shaper, and attended and presented at Davos at the World Economic Forum’s 2013 annual meeting. Meghann currently serves on the NC Advisory Board of US Global Leadership Coalition, working to influence state policymakers to increase our International Affairs budget and promote a smart power approach to development and diplomacy.

The Foundation for Tomorrow (TFFT) addresses vulnerability through the power of quality education. With consistent and thoughtful investment in students and teachers in Tanzania, we offer orphan and vulnerable children the opportunity to succeed.

Our holistic services include access to quality schooling, health and psychosocial support, and life skills programs. TFFT also works to improve the quality of instruction, resources in the classroom, and school management to ensure widespread, sustainable impact.

Our goal is straightforward: change the trajectory of a child’s life through the power of education. Our implementation of this mission is unique because of our individualized approach. It is comprehensive and all-encompassing: serve the whole child; improve the quality of instruction; strengthen the community.

We are people from around the globe, with diverse expertise, who are passionate about education and work towards systemic change. The Foundation For Tomorrow (TFFT) squarely focuses our work in Tanzania by addressing vulnerability through the power of education. We live our values and beliefs by offering orphan and vulnerable children the opportunity to succeed through access to quality schooling, health and psychosocial support, and life skills programs. Our team also works to improve the quality of instruction, resources in the classroom, and school management to ensure widespread, sustainable impact. We set ambitious goals, hold ourselves accountable, and build upon strong partnerships to generate greater sustainable impact each year. Alongside our donors, innovative partners, and other stakeholders, we are proud to be a trusted agent for change in the Tanzanian educational landscape. Together, we can empower individuals to become change agents in their own communities and stronger leaders for our world.

To learn more, visit www.thefoundationfortomorrow.org

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