Maranyundo Initiative to Host Fall Gala in Boston

The Maranyundo Initiative will hold its annual Fall Gala on Friday, October 17, 2025, from 6:30 to 10:00 p.m. at Rochambeau, 900 Boylston Street, Boston.

The event comes at a pivotal time for the organization. In 2024, the Initiative was awarded a $1 million USAID grant to support the launch of the Maranyundo Training and Learning Center (MTLC) in Rwanda. But the recent suspension of U.S. government funding to civil society organizations in the region has directly affected Maranyundo’s ability to access those resources.

The shift has placed new urgency on private fundraising. “The Gala is not just a celebration it is a necessary step to ensure continuity of our projects,” said Maranyundo Executive Director Jessi Smolow.

Proceeds will provide scholarships for students at the Maranyundo Girls School, where more than two-thirds of students rely on financial aid, and sustain the MTLC, which is projected to train 500 teachers and reach more nationwide by 2030.

The Gala program will include dinner, dancing, and updates from board members and Rwandan partners on the progress of the MTLC and other education initiatives.

Founded in Cambridge, the Maranyundo Initiative has worked for over a decade to advance girls’ education in Rwanda through a combination of scholarships, teacher training, and investments in science and technology education. The upcoming Gala reflects its effort to strengthen private donor support at a moment when public funding has been disrupted.

Tickets are available at www.maranyundo.org