Believing in the Ripple Effect: A Mission to Educate and Inspire

Having come from a village much like the ones Thinking Huts works with today, I saw firsthand the value that access to education has in a person’s life. The ripple effects of the opportunities that education brings will impact them, their family, their community, and beyond for generations. To ensure every child has the opportunity to grow up and achieve their dreams, it’s crucial to empower young people, especially girls, by providing access to education.

My journey has been quite an adventure—like a telenovela, to be entirely honest! I started as a one-woman show and CEO before finding the right team to surround me. Highlights include BBC World News covering our first large-scale project in Madagascar and discovering truly genuine people who make me believe in the goodness that still exists in the world. Beyond the messages from community members and students our schools impact, I love my business because of the team I have around me now and those who are part of our Thinking Huts family. It’s surreal to see how far we’ve come from the initial vision in my mind, and now it’s alive and growing.

I believe the vision has remained pretty much the same; we now just have even more ambitious goals to achieve in this lifetime. I feel lucky to have a small circle of people who really know me and balance my life when so much of it can be consumed by job responsibilities. These relationships are rare but definitely worth waiting for and sustaining in the long term.

Probably one of the most significant moments in my career was being invited to do a TED talk at 20. It was interesting being the youngest person there! The pandemic hit, so we ended up recording in a near-empty auditorium.

If I could go back, I would have stood up more for myself and voiced my perspectives more firmly when I knew it was the right decision to make. However, I don't think I would change anything, as every experience and lesson happened for a reason, leading me to where I am and who I need in my life.

Believe in yourself first, or no one else will.

• Maggie Grout, Founder of Thinking Huts

Education has the power to change lives. The work of organizations like Thinking Huts is crucial in ensuring that this power reaches the people who need it most. Education is more than just learning in a classroom—it is a pathway to opportunity and a tool for transforming entire communities.

Education is the foundation of progress. By making it accessible to more children, we are investing in a brighter future for all. The ripple effect of education, as described by Maggie, has the potential to uplift entire generations.

Learning doesn’t end in the classroom. It is a lifelong journey that continues through every experience and interaction. While formal education provides foundational knowledge and skill, true learning happens when we apply those skills in real-world situations, solve problems and adapt to new challenges. This ongoing learning shapes our perspectives, broadens our understanding and equips us to navigate an ever-changing world.?

Maggie also mentions believing in yourself. This is a critical part of the learning process. When you have confidence in your abilities, you’re more likely to take on new challenges, embrace the unknown and get outside of your comfort zone. Without the courage to believe in yourself, the learning process can stall. With every experience comes the opportunity to expand your knowledge and realize your true potential.?

Education is a powerful tool for change, and organizations like Thinking Huts are crucial in making sure it reaches those who need it most. By supporting education and fostering self-belief, we empower individuals and strengthen communities, creating a brighter future for all.?

If you would like to know more about how I do it, my routines and products that make my life a little less wild, subscribe at rebeccaminkoff.substack.com.?

And if you want to learn more about how to elevate women on a mission to break barriers, join our ecosystem where we provide content, capital, and learning to propel these women to the next level at https://femalefoundercollective.com/