King’ongo Secondary School in Ubungo, Dar es Salaam, has received a newly constructed block of six modern toilets for both female and male teachers, marking a significant upgrade to the school’s sanitation and dignity standards. The facilities were donated by Lydia Charles Moyo, the school's alumna and Founder and Executive Director of Her Initiative, a recipient of both the Global Citizen Prize and the KBF Africa Prize.

Moyo, who completed her secondary education at King’ongo in 2010, described the contribution as part of her lifelong dream to give back to the community that shaped her.

Reflecting on her journey, she said:

“My academic journey from primary school to university was shaped by different institutions, but King’ongo has always held a special place in my heart. This is where I learned resilience and empathy. The environment, the teachers, and the stage of growth I was in, my teenage years, all shaped the person I am today. That’s why I’ve always felt drawn to give back here. Building these toilets is my way of honoring that journey and expressing gratitude to the school that played such a big role in my life.”

Growing up in a community where many girls were unable to finish school due to poverty and limited access to resources, Lydia’s experiences at King’ongo planted the seed for what would later become Her Initiative, a nonprofit organization that supports young women and girls to break free from poverty and create financial resilience through economic empowerment and technology. 

In 2010, only nine of Lydia’s 199 classmates at King’ongo progressed to high school, including herself. That stark reality continues to drive her passion for ensuring that more girls can access quality education in safe and supportive environments.

Earlier this year, Lydia reconnected with her former English teacher, Madam Lilian Lengwana, who mentioned the urgent need for improved sanitation facilities for teachers.

“I promised her that I would work on it,” Lydia recalled. “Sadly, she passed away before seeing it completed. This project is also in her memory, a tribute to the dedication of teachers who give so much to nurture future generations.”

The Head of School at King’ongo Secondary School, Geofrey Christopher Kirigini, expressed appreciation on behalf of the staff, saying:

“We are proud to see our students grow into responsible citizens who return to uplift their communities. Lydia’s contribution has met a critical need, and we are deeply grateful for her thoughtfulness and commitment.”

Lydia hopes her gesture will inspire others to give back to the institutions that shaped them.

“Teachers invest their lives in us. If each of us found a way, individually or collectively, to give back, we could transform the environments that once nurtured us.”

Beyond this act of generosity, Lydia continues to uplift communities through Her Initiatives, including Panda Digital and her personal platform, lydiamoyo.com, where she mentors emerging young leaders and advocates for equitable funding for youth- and women-led initiatives.