OUR STORY
The seed for Next Generation Investment, Inc. was planted when a conversation between two sisters took place at a shop near the Ngorongoro crater in Tanzania….
BUT HOW COULD TWO SISTERS FROM THE USA GET INVOLVED?
At first, Mary’s idea was to come back and teach, but after some reflection, realized although she may benefit from that experience, there would be no lasting effect.
Mary as a teacher, working in schools of poverty most of her career and Ann, passionate about increasing women’s access to financial independence through entrepreneurship and angel investing, started to think outside of their comfort zones. Enter an introduction to Nurture the Next Generation, a startup non-profit working to improve local schools, through one of their contacts, John Amnina, in the Serengeti.
INSPIRING TRIP TO TANZANIA
Wanting to recreate this magical experience in Africa, Ann and Mary took another trip, this time, to Tanzania along with Beth Lindner, a high school friend and administrator for the Board of NGI. This is where the love for Africa and beauty of its people really moved from concept and dream, to design and reality.
From the Ngorongoro crater, Masaii Mara and the Serengeti to the beautiful shores of Zanzibar, the overwhelming physical beauty of the country was dwarfed by the genuine kindness, exuberance and sheer joy of the Tanzanian people. When they left, they were fully committed to not only return their kindness and generosity but also left with a passion and desire to somehow make a difference.
NEXT GENERATION INVESTMENT, INC
Out of this fortuitous meeting, Next Generation Investment, Inc. was created to assist local NGO’S provide support in their communities. We are committed to organizations specifically working to improve their local schools (link to Charter). To that end, we have carefully assembled our Board to provide the best expertise, perspective and commitment to this mission. We have educational experts, foreign trade and global entrepreneurship experts, legal and compliance, outreach, community and fundraising experience.
As for the sisters, Ann and Mary are thrilled to have so many friends committed to bringing NGI’s tiny seedling to life! We thank you for hearing our story and embarking on this journey with us!
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Ann Beasley and Mary Lutkewitte are sisters born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. After attending the University of Tulsa, in Tulsa, Oklahoma both went their separate ways. Ann, into the world of law which involved extensive world travel including living in Japan and Switzerland.
Mary settled in Ohio with her family, teaching special education and with summers off, she was able to accompany her husband to both Asia and Europe. It was only a matter of time before Mary and Ann meshed their schedules and embarked on their first adventure to the beautiful African continent. Ann’s 50th birthday celebration, sent them to a rhino conservation camp in Namibia, and cage diving with great white sharks in Gaansbai, S.A.
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
Contact us today and become part of the NGI movement. We are actively engaged in projects throughout Africa and offer ongoing updates right to your inbox. We also host special events and fundraising efforts and provide real-time project updates from our grant recipients.