The Founding Directors worked in Africa for a combined total of over 25 years during which time they worked for charities in the justice and healthcare sectors. It was during this time, working in both Uganda and Kenya that they came to a turning point in their careers.

Agnes, one of the founders and a trained lawyer, found that most detainees were illiterate and therefore faced unfair judicial outcomes and impossible obstacles in order to access justice because they were unable to read and interpret court documents and their implications.

Bea, while working in the health sector, found that women often died from uncomplicated childbirth because they lived in rural areas and were usually illiterate and therefore unable to access information about their pregnancy. Access to basic amenities was based on location, wealth, gender and level of education.

Soon the founders realised that life outcomes were predictably linked to poverty. And poverty unequivocally linked to a lack of education, location and gender. This inspired them to dedicate their careers moving forward to ensuring that all children have an opportunity to change the course of their life through quality education. Education is the gateway out of poverty and is at the heart of Tusome Africa’s vision.