We're on a mission to foster applied learning focused on empathetic problem-solving to foster leadership and community engagement.
Our School Partners
Mtakuja Secondary School
Located in Moshi, Kilimanjaro-Tanzania, Mtakuja Secondary School (MSS), an Opportunity Education network school, caters primarily to students from low-income backgrounds, with approximately 45% of the student population hailing from the local Maasai Community. MSS is a boarding school for its 185 students, with 102 boys and 83 girls. The school offers education from form one to form four (grade 9 to grade 12 in the United States), ensuring a comprehensive curriculum that prepares students for their academic journey.
Shilela Secondary School
Shilela Secondary School is part of Shilela Academy, established in 2008, which includes both Primary and Secondary Schools. The institution currently has 14 staff members and 96 students: 11 in Form One, 16 in Form Two, 31 in Form Three, 28 in Form Four, and 2 in Form Five. Beyond academics, Shilela Academy equips students with practical skills through hands-on activities such as vegetable production, flower gardening, and computer studies. The school also emphasizes extracurricular activities, including project writing, conducted every term.
Natiro Secondary School
Natiro Secondary School is a Northern Diocese Lutheran institution located in Tema Village, Mbokomu, within Moshi District. Established in 1983, the school caters to Forms 1 through 4 students. The current enrollment stands at 128 students, 60 females and 68 males. Natiro Secondary is a co-educational school offering both boarding and day-school options. In addition to academics, Natiro Secondary School promotes student engagement through extracurricular activities such as gardening and road maintenance within the school compound.
Our team
Godance Andrew
Design Mentor
Godance is a dedicated quality support specialist in education passionate about using design thinking to improve educational outcomes. She focuses on incorporating human-centred approaches to transform learning environments and develop innovative strategies that empower students, teachers, and administrators.
Driven by a commitment to fostering creativity, collaboration, and continuous educational growth, Godance ensures that every solution she implements is tailored to meet the unique needs of students and educators, creating lasting and meaningful impact.
Eligrania Lema
Design Mentor
As a Thinking by Design teacher in Tanzania, Eligrania is driven by the belief that students have the potential to reshape the future of their communities. Through teaching design thinking, she empowers young people to turn challenges into opportunities, fostering bold and innovative solutions that make a real impact. Together, they are nurturing a new generation of compassionate leaders ready to transform the world for the better. Her leadership, coaching, wisdom, communication, and analytical skills are invaluable assets to the Thinking by Design program.
Leveri Sindbard Mlaki
Design Mentor
Leveri is a dedicated educator passionate about helping people grow and reach their full potential. As the Lead Mentor Teacher for Opportunity Education, Leveri is committed to helping teachers enhance their teaching skills to improve student outcomes and prepare them for success in life. Additionally, he leads several community social welfare initiatives around Pumwani and Sango villages.
Tupokigwe Abnery
Design Mentor
Tupokigwe Abnery is a Mentor Teacher at Opportunity Education coaching and guiding mentors and learners in Tanzania through the Quest Forward Learning model. With over six years of experience teaching Kiswahili and another six years as a mentor teacher she brings extensive expertise in education. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kiswahili Linguistics from Dodoma University and is a certified trainer and coach having studied to be a trainer and coach through Midland University (Nebraska, USA). She is known for her leadership, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
In 2018, Tupokigwe was awarded the Best Story Writer award at the Tanzania University Story Writing Festival by TASAKI. Passionate about empowering young people she also has a strong entrepreneurial spirit with interests in photography, event planning, and creative projects. She has studied design thinking through Bellevue University (Nebraska, USA), embracing its principles to drive innovation and problem-solving in her work and in local communities.
Wilbert Ijumba
Design Mentor
Wilbert Ijumba is a dedicated and visionary educator with a passion for unlocking the potential in individuals and communities. As the Director of Curriculum Development at Opportunity Education, he drives innovative pedagogical practices that empower students to excel academically and prepare for lifelong success. With a deep commitment to holistic development, Ijumba leverages his expertise as a certified trainer and coach to inspire growth not only in classrooms but also within communities. His leadership extends to spearheading impactful social welfare initiatives, particularly in collaboration with the Lutheran Church and the Msumi community, where he champions education as a catalyst for social transformation.
Mussa Challa
Certified Design Mentor
Mussa Challa is an educator who is passionate about inspiring those around him to discover their potential. Mussa taught Civics and English at the secondary level, and was the first Tanzania Design Project Mentor.
Victoria Ulimboka
Design Mentor
Victoria Ulimboka is a Career Mentor in the Pathways Programme at Opportunity Education. With a deep commitment to empowering secondary school students, Victoria helps them to discover and pursue their career aspirations, guiding them towards meaningful and fulfilling futures. Her expertise in career development is complemented by her genuine enthusiasm for helping others to grow, both personally and professionally.
Victoria continuously seeks opportunities to challenge herself and expand her entrepreneurial skills, reflecting her growth-oriented mindset. She holds a certification as a trainer and coach from Midland University (USA) and has studied design thinking through Bellevue University (USA), equipping her with innovative tools to support both students and educators. Her academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Dar es Salaam.
Victoria is driven by a desire to make a lasting impact on the lives of young people in Tanzania, providing them with the skills and confidence they need to thrive in today’s competitive world. Her dedication, combined with her passion for continuous learning, positions her as a role model for both students and colleagues.
Rufina Antony
Design Mentor
Rufina is a natural leader in and out of the classroom. She is an integral mentor heading up the Thinking by Design course at Mtakuja Secondary School.
Omary Daudi Fonga
Design Practitioner
Mr. Omary D. Fonga is a physics teacher at Shilela Secondary School. Omary was interested in this design thinking course because the course equips us with innovative problem-solving strategies that enhance student learning. Design thinking encourages creativity, collaboration, and empathy, allowing us to develop more engaging and student-centered lessons.
Sadam Ismail Hussein
Design Practitioner
Mr. Sadam Ismail Husein is a Chemistry teacher at Shilela Secondary School. Sadam sought to teach the design program because applying this approach helps to create a more inclusive classroom environment and prepares students for challenges beyond the classroom.
Nicodemus Ernest
Design Practitioner
Nicodemus is the Biology and Geography Mentor at Natiro Secondary School, leading the Design Thinking Course for Form 3 students this year. A 2022 graduate of Mwenge Catholic University, he spent a year as a Quest Forward Learning intern at Mtakuja. He is deeply committed to lifelong learning and helping students unlock their potential as value creators by designing learning experiences that cultivate the mindsets, habits, and skills needed for success beyond school.
Dotto K. Mkilijiwa
Design Practitioner
Dotto is the Mathematics and Physics Mentor at Natiro Secondary School, co-leading the Design Thinking Course for Form 3 students alongside Nicodemus Ernest. A 2024 graduate of Mwenge Catholic University, he completed a three-year internship as a Quest Forward Learning intern at the same school. He believes that through Design Thinking, Natiro Secondary School students will graduate with the ability to collaborate with their community and develop innovative solutions that have a lasting impact.
JoDee Goracke
Co-Founder, Project Director
JoDee is an I/O Psychology professor whose research focuses on the applications of human-centered design, empathy, and community problem solving. Since launching the Tanzania Design Project in 2016, her commitment has been to support educators in Tanzania by developing social design learning experiences that foster creativity, leadership, and human-centered approaches for impactful education.
Brian Kear
Co-Founder, Project Creative Director
Brian is a creative designer located in Omaha, Nebraska operating at the sweet spot between simplicity and innovation. Driven to answer design problems through great work for living breathing human beings.






