Abstract 

Learning Outcomes

This case study explores the challenges of sustaining a social enterprise in education while aligning with an organization’s core mission. It aims to help students understand the strategic and operational decisions required to maintain a socially driven educational institution. Students will analyze the impact of cultural barriers on education, particularly for girls, and evaluate strategies for financial and operational sustainability in social enterprises. They will also examine the role of leadership and governance in managing mission-driven organizations. 

Case overview

Gerald Golding Memorial School was started in 2022 by the Immaculate Heart Sisters of Africa (IHSA) in Kisarawe, Tanzania to offer early childhood education. The IHS had established a vocational centre to train girls in the community to support single mothers from the community whose families had left. Due to cultural practices within the community, the girls had to either drop out of school to be married as their community did not value education for girls. However, after being married the girls would find themselves in a fragile state as their husbands and families left most to fend for their children without any skill training. ISH realised they did not have the resources to educate their kids as most schools were either unaffordable or far off from the community. Driven by their charism of conversion of Africa, the sisters decided to tackle the underlying cultural challenges that prevented girls from gaining education and life skills by educating children from the community for the future. The case highlights the challenge Sr Regina, the head teacher is grappling with to keep the school running whilst still maintaining their charism. 

Complexity academic level

The case is suitable for teaching in entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship, business sustainability and management areas. The case can also be used in strategic management sessions discussing how to strategize to make a social business more sustainable in the long run. 

Supplementary Materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Keywords

Sustainable leadership and governance, social entrepreneurship, enterprise sustainability and enterprise growth.

Citation

Murithi, W., Ndunge, A., & Njiraini, N. (2024). Gerald Gronding Memorial School: Transforming a Community, One Child at a Time, through Education. In Strathmore Africa Case Center. Strathmore Africa Case Centre. https://doi.org/10.70268/sacc-10-24-43

Publisher: Strathmore Africa Case Centre

Copyright © 2024, Strathmore Africa Case Centre

Category : Case

Author : William Murithi, Angela Ndunge, Nancy Njiraini

Publisher : Strathmore University

Document ID : SACC-10-24-43