2025: A Year of Community, Learning, & Lasting Impact

As 2025 comes to a close, one thing is clear: when we come together, girls’ futures change. Across rural Senegal and Kenya, challenges persisted, but because of YOU, education remained possible, protection remained strong, and opportunity continued to grow. Girls stayed in school, communities supported their daughters, and young leaders found the confidence to shape their own paths. On this final day of giving, thank you for standing with us and for helping carry this impact forward into the year ahead. 🎉

Join us in finishing the year strong—give today and stand with the girls as they shape their futures in the new year! 💝

 2025 WGEP Highlights

• Ndajee 2025: On May 19, Ndajee 2025 brought our community together, welcoming over 250 guests and raising more than $300,000 to support girls’ education in Senegal and Kenya. While Diana Mwendwa Mati joined via video, her keynote resonated deeply and reinforced the impact of this work. We were also proud to honor Suzanne Kanter for her dedicated support of WGEP. Thank you to everyone who made Ndajee 2025 such a meaningful evening. We look forward to gathering again next year! 

• Back to School 2025:

Books & Breakfast: On September 13, families joined WGEP Board Member Hafsa Naz Mahmood and her sons, Ayaan and Azeem Sheikh, for a joyful morning featuring their book Little Birdies Lose Their Colors. Proceeds supported books and school supplies for girls in Senegal and Kenya.

Protiviti Happy Hour: On September 30, WGEP Board Members Alex Mbuthia and Aimee Mills hosted the first-ever WGEP Happy Hour, introducing colleagues to WGEP’s work and sparking new interest in getting involved.

Back to School at LOULOU: On October 8, the WGEP community gathered at LOULOU for a special dinner prepared by Chef Jason Hammel, celebrating food, community, and education while supporting girls returning to school.

International Day of the Girl Bookstore Partnerships: On October 11, WGEP partnered with local Chicago bookstores to celebrate International Day of the Girl and support the Back-to-School Campaign through inspiring reads.

• WGEP Virtual Town Hall: On April 11, we shared updates on federal funding changes during a virtual community meeting. 
• Monthly WGEP Community Dinners: Throughout 2025, we gathered small groups each month to share a meal and connect with WGEP’s impact. Thank you to WGEP Board Member John Kulczycki for organizing! 

2025 New Partnerships & Program Innovations

• ARP in Kenya: In November and December, WGEP worked alongside our local partners to support over 1,000 girls at risk of FGM/C through Alternative Rite of Passage (ARP) programming and scholarships. Together, we helped provide safe spaces and education so girls could transition into adolescence safely and remain in school. Thank you for standing with us during this critical season—your generosity made a lasting difference.

• Welcomed Enkishon Sidai Africa (ESA) as a new partner in Kenya

• Launched new partnerships in Senegal with Malem Auder and Action Communautaire Pour Tous

• Hosted the Our Sisters Lead changemakers leadership retreat in Senegal

• Held Senegal Summer Camp, centering joy, learning, and confidence

• Piloted TWWP’s Web Design Boot Camp, expanding digital skills and future pathways

• Championed environmental action in Senegal, aligning with Rick Steves’ Climate Smart Commitment and recognizing girls’ education as a powerful climate solution

A Letter From Amy

Last Chance to Give in 2025!

We invite you to be part of our final push to close out the year strong. Your contribution to our holiday campaign will ensure that even more girls can attend school, remain protected, graduate, and pursue their dreams in the year ahead.

Make your year-end gift today and invest in girls’ futures! 💜