Our Impact

Across rural Tanzania, Lyra is helping girls, young people and communities build brighter, more sustainable futures. Working hand-in-hand with schools and villages, we’re improving education, strengthening livelihoods, and creating safer, more resilient environments where young people, especially girls can thrive.

OUR IMPACT REPORT
INDEPENDENT IMPACT REPORT

What We've Achieved So Far

Quality Education & Digital Inclusion

We’re transforming learning in rural secondary schools through technology-inclusive education. Together with teachers, school committees and students, we’re making digital learning part of everyday life.

  • 12,612 students reached through digital learning programs 

  • 300 teachers trained in EdTech skills

  • 10 computer labs established across 10 schools, plus a new 33-computer lab at Msanga Secondary School 

  • Kasulu and Morogoro Teacher Colleges equipped with computer labs for Ed-tech teacher training 

  • 1,150 students active in ICT clubs - 60% of them are girls 

  • 3 Virtual Learning Labs delivered to support teacher peer-learning 

DIGITAL LEARNING

Girls’ Education & Gender Equity

Lyra creates safe, supportive environments where girls can focus on learning and plan for their future.

  • 135 girls sponsored to continue secondary education, including 20 newly sponsored students this year 

  • "Reach for the Stars" pilot delivered to 180 girls to build confidence and future-focused mindsets 

  • Mama Matron training delivered in all 11 partner schools to strengthen girls’ wellbeing networks

DIGITAL LEARNING

Green Construction & WASH

Our eco-friendly hostels create safe, sustainable places for girls to learn and live.

  • 1,566 girls currently living in Lyra hostels across Iringa 

  • Zero pregnancies recorded for hostel residents since 2012 

  • Significant reduction in dropouts for sponsored girls in Lyra hostels 

  • 14 hostels completed since 2012, with 2 more under construction in 2024–2025 

  • 1,306 tons of CO₂ saved during hostel construction through low-carbon methods 

  • 574 local workers trained through community upskilling programmes 

  • 20 nanofilters and 15 rainwater harvesting systems installed across hostels for clean and safe water access 

GREEN CONSTRUCTION & WASH

Youth Employment, Entrepreneurship & Thriving Communities

Through our Skills for Entrepreneurship (SET) programme and VSLA/YSLA groups, young people are building livelihoods that last.

  • 153 out-of-school youths enrolled, including 90 young women and 40 single mothers 

  • 95 new businesses created through SET vocational and entrepreneurship training 

  • Average weekly income increased from 21,000 TZS to 70,000 TZS - a 233% rise 

  • 75 participants received post-training mentorship 

  • 11 VSLA/YSLA groups launched this year, with 225 members now actively saving and accessing loans

  • 42 million TZS total savings; 33.6 million TZS in loans issued, with 80% loan-to-savings ratio 

ECONOMIC SECURITY

STORIES FROM TANZANIA

  • "I am grateful for the sponsorship provided to me by Lyra. It has furthered my education to university level and transformed my life, and given me a vision beyond my village."

    Giveness Kindole
  • Zainabu

    "I was one of the first girls to live in the dormitory built by Lyra, and it changed my life."

    Zainabu's Story

  • "I am grateful for the sponsorship to stay in the Lyra hostel and all the extra support I received, as it has helped me in my academics, given me hope and increased my confidence level."

    Salama Makela

  • "Actually I used to be someone to just go and beg for help from others."

    HONESTA's story

  • "I love being in the dormitory because it’s a safe and peaceful place for a girl. We have lots of time to study, and we can also learn using RACHEL."

    Hostel student

  • I want to study hard so that I will achieve my dreams and help my father and my young brother because my family is poor. I want to be the solution to my family and the whole community."

    Miriam Kipemba

  • “Through Lyra, we learned that basket weaving can be an important source of income. The opportunity I have already starting weaving better, continually improving my skills. I aim to be the lead trainer in good quality baskets in our community.”

    Ngojea

  • Being part of this training has changed my hope for the future, now I can plan who I want to become regardless of my disability, which was not possible before. ”

    daudi

  • “I have always wanted to become a big entrepreneur because I believe it is the only way I can run my life since jobs have been hard to find. The training broadened my knowledge and ability to recognize different business opportunities available in my community.”

    dainess

  • Catherine remains deeply grateful to Lyra in Africa and MMF for supporting her journey. Their sponsorship, she says, not only gave her a safe place to live but also the confidence to dream big.

    Catherine

Our Contribution to the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Lyra contributes to 15 of the 17 SDGs, with strongest impact in:
– Quality Education
– Gender Equality
– Decent Work & Economic Growth
– Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
– Reduced Inequalities

Learn more