Oct 1, 2026

Eripoto Officially Opens New Building

A longtime dream, prayer, and project has become a reality for Eripoto for Girls and Women. The nonprofit operates a preschool, tailoring center, school outreach program, and safe house near Arusha, Tanzania. 

After two years of construction, Eripoto officially celebrated the opening of its new three-story building with a ribbon-cutting and visit from 11 LPGM travelers on September 11, 2026. LPGM Development Director Bethany Krepela was asked to cut the ribbon. 

The construction process began in October 2024, and they experienced unexpected delays and challenges throughout the building journey, but the Eripoto team never lost faith in their dream. Now, after nearly two years of construction, their dream has been realized. 

Read about the building process 

Esuvat Lucumay, the founder and director of Eripoto, writes:

It was a very special day for us at Eripoto to welcome our partners, LPGM, who had the opportunity to visit us and officially launch the Safe House for our girls.
 
We are deeply grateful for their visit and for everyone who has been part of making this home a reality. Seeing our partners walk through the doors of the home and share this special moment with us was very meaningful to our entire Eripoto family.
 
We thank every family, partner and friend who has supported this journey in different ways. May God bless you and your families, remember your kindness, and continue to use you to touch the lives of many.
 
 

Established in 2022 by Esuvat Lucumay, who herself escaped from a forced child marriage, Eripoto provides safe housing, healthy meals, academic and spiritual support, vocational training, and emotional care for girls escaping from forced early marriage, FGM, and bad home situations.

For pregnant girls and girls with young children, Eripoto houses and cares for the children so their young mothers can return to school.

Additionally, Eripoto works with government schools, sensitizing girls on the importance of education and sharing strategies they can use to reduce their vulnerability to forced early marriage and pregnancy. Realizing the importance of parents accepting and supporting a girl's right to education, Eripoto provides seminars to parents in hopes of changing their attitudes. 

Since 2022, LPGM has been a proud partner of Eripoto. Our travel groups to Tanzania visit the girls and staff so travelers can encourage them and also hear - and share - their stories.

To learn more or to support the girls at Eripoto, visit this webpage.