Sustainability

Mainsprings seeks to be sustainable.  While that’s a common buzzword these days, at Mainsprings it means two things.  First, Mainsprings seeks to operate all of its programs in a sustainable way, meaning that any program needs to be long-term, outlasting any one person or group of people, and ultimately affecting change for years to come. That is why Mainsprings seeks to rely primarily on an East African labor force, who are permanently rooted in the community with their families.  There’s no question we are also an international family, and welcome visitors and a few staff from countries around the world, but it is our local management team and staff that do the real work that will make true, lasting change.

Second, Mainsprings seeks to be as financially sustainable as possible on our campuses.  Tanzania is full of incredible resources and extremely resourceful people, who, with a little catalyst and education, can turn previously impoverished areas into prosperous ones. So, from our minimal school fees, to feeding our students right from our farm, to selling excess produce and livestock, to our fully functioning restaurant and lodge, Mainsprings seeks to cover a portion of operating our campuses with an income from within the local communities.

Mainsprings still relies on our supporters for many of our programs, and especially for capital projects and expansion. This model’s lasting, sustainable change fueled by the local communities, which is a central part of who we are as an organization and the legacy we want to leave.