Mark Dombkins - Creating Lasting Change

In this episode of The Birchal Podcast, we sit down with Mark Dombkins, founder of Forever Projects, an inspiring non-profit organisation dedicated to helping Tanzanian women and their families escape the cycle of poverty. Mark shares his deeply personal journey from his days as a teacher to becoming an advocate for sustainable change in Africa, alongside his wife Anna and their six children, three of whom they adopted while living in Tanzania. Mark reflects on how a simple moment—watching a documentary about abandoned children—led his family to make the life-changing decision to move to East Africa. He talks about the challenges they faced, the unexpected path that unfolded, and how Forever Projects was born out of their desire to offer long-term solutions to the root causes of child abandonment, rather than just addressing the symptoms. We explore the ethos behind Forever Projects, focusing on sustainability and empowerment. Mark explains the importance of giving families the tools to build their own businesses and provide for their children, ensuring that mothers aren't forced to surrender their kids due to economic hardship. He highlights the organisation’s unique 100% model, where every dollar donated goes directly to funding these initiatives, supported by a passionate community of contributors. Mark also opens up about the emotional toll of turning away people due to lack of funds and how that drives him to grow the community around Forever Projects. Through heartfelt stories, including one of a mother named Agnes who couldn't initially join their program, Mark paints a vivid picture of how even small contributions can make a profound difference. Tune in to this compelling conversation where we discuss: How to start a non-profit that tackles big, complex issues like poverty The emotional and personal motivation behind Forever Projects The importance of community, storytelling, and sustainable impact Mark’s vision for the future and how Forever Projects aims to expand its reach across more countries This episode is an inspiring reminder of the power of kindness, resilience, and the difference we can all make—one step at a time.