Back to School, Beyond the Classroom

This September, while classrooms reopen around the world, travelers have the chance to support girls’ education in Tanzania, and start planning their own 2026 adventures.

Every September, I feel a certain nostalgia. The air shifts, calendars reset, and classrooms buzz with the familiar rhythm of “back to school.” Whether you have children or not, it’s a season that signals fresh starts and new opportunities.

But while many of us take this moment for granted, the reality in other parts of the world is far more complex. In Tanzania, for many girls, going to school isn’t a given, it’s a privilege. Education isn’t just about sharpened pencils and fresh notebooks. It’s a daily challenge, one that requires determination, resources, and, often, the support of people far beyond the classroom.

This is where the work of Unite the World with Africa Foundation comes in—and where the story of a young girl named Sada brings these challenges to life.

Sada’s Story

Sada grew up in a small village in Tanzania, where finishing school was never a guarantee. Her days were filled with responsibilities at home, and her family couldn’t always afford the costs of uniforms, supplies, or transportation. When Sada was 14 she was almost married off during a school break; however, she somehow managed to escape that fate. Even though her family and her community don’t believe in her potential or right to education, Sada has worked hard and persisted.

Then she received a scholarship through Unite the World. She is now attending secondary school, has a desk in a classroom, books in her hands, and mentors cheering her on. Today, she’s working toward her dream career in engineering, with a confidence that inspires the girls who look up to her.

Sada’s story is just one example, but it illustrates a truth: education has the power to change everything, not just for a single girl, but for her entire family and community.

Why Girls’ Education Matters

When a girl is educated, the ripple effects are profound. Studies show that every additional year of schooling increases her future earnings by up to 20%. She is more likely to marry later, have healthier children, and invest in her family and community. One girl’s education can shift the trajectory of generations.

And yet, the barriers are immense. Poverty, cultural expectations, long distances to schools, and lack of resources keep millions of girls in East Africa and other countries around the world from completing their education. These aren’t seasonal challenges; they are year-round realities. Which is why organizations like Unite and the people who support them are so vital.

Traveling on an Impactful Tanzania Safari

How Travel Plays a Role

This is where travel, when done intentionally, becomes more than exploration. At Cherish, we believe every journey should create a lasting impact. An impact that is more than just for the traveler themselves, but for the people and places we travel to, visit, and engage with.

In Tanzania, that impact is clear. When women join our impactful Tanzania safaris, part of their investment goes directly to Unite's scholarship program, helping fund education for girls like Sada. Beyond scholarships, our trips also channel resources to women-owned safari lodges, artisans, and guides. This helps with keeping money in the communities that host us.

It’s easy to think of travel as leisure, but it can be so much more. It can be a catalyst for systemic change, a way of redistributing opportunity, and a bridge between women across continents.

Lessons Beyond the Classroom

The beauty of this kind of travel is that it educates us, too. Travelers often tell me that while the wildlife and landscapes of Tanzania are unforgettable, it’s the human connections that stay with them the longest. The opportunity to meet local people and learn from them is what affects our travelers most deeply.

Cooking with a host in her kitchen, listening to a Maasai woman share her traditions, or hearing a young student describe her dreams—all of these moments expand our understanding of the world. They remind us that education doesn’t stop when we leave school; it continues every time we step into a new environment with curiosity and humility.

Many Cherish travelers return home with a renewed sense of purpose. They begin to see travel not just as escape or a simple vacation, but as exchange. They tell more meaningful stories about their journeys and feel personally revitalized by experiences that impact their hearts. Often, they find that travel teaches them to incorporate new habits in their lives. This way of travel helps them find ways to be more intentional, more connected, and more aware of how their choices ripple outward.

Join the Journey

As classrooms reopen this September, I can’t help but think about the girls in Tanzania who are still fighting for their chance to learn. Supporting their education is about more than helping them attend school; it’s about dignity, opportunity, and the chance to imagine a different future.

That’s why our 2026 Tanzania Safari is more than a trip. It’s an invitation to be part of this story, to stand with girls like Sada, and to allow yourself to be transformed in the process.

Early bird registration is open until September 18, and while I’d love for you to join this incredible trip, my deeper hope is that you carry this perspective with you to wherever and however you travel. Because at the end of the day, education is not just about what we learn in classrooms. It’s about what we carry with us into the world and how we use it to create change.