Our Story
Jenna and Majorine met on a penpal platform on March 10th, 2014. They exchanged stories about women’s experiences in their home countries and realized that they had a shared passion of empowering girls and women. Majorine told Jenna of her dreams to begin an organization in her community that supported single mothers.
The girls agreed they would partner up in an effort to support girls and women in Majo’s community. By November 2014, they began a ‘Christmas Candle Project’. This project raised funds to buy candles crafted by Ugandan women, and then distributed those candles to single mothers in Wakiso in need of a light source. Following the success of the project, they officially launched the “Rise and Shine Girl’s Club” at the beginning of 2015. The club was based out of Wakiso, Uganda and its objective was to start economically empowering projects for women, as well as support girls’ education. Lyndi partnered with Jenna and Majo, raising additional funds through her fair-trade company and starting a cultural craft program through the club. Over the next 4 years, Rise and Shine Girl’s club expanded, eventually relocating to the Rakai District. Projects included menstrual hygiene initiatives, entrepreneur programs, solar panel projects and a scholarship program.
In March 2018, Majo and Jenna began the process of applying for Canadian charitable status. During this year, they continued to recruit new girls to their programs, and with the help of Lyndi, added a women’s agricultural project. On September 9, 2019 the “Rise and Shine Girl’s Club” officially became the “Girls of Tomorrow Foundation”.
