By Gail Kaneb and Alexandra Kaneb
Board Members, Tostan Canada
In our family, giving back is a tradition. For decades, we’ve worked to make a difference—first in our own community, and later through our family foundation. But it wasn’t until we met Tostan that we realized just how powerful our support could be.
Gail:
When we started looking for charitable partners, we wanted to find an organization where our contribution would truly matter. Meeting Molly Melching, Tostan’s founder, changed everything for me. 
Her approach—rooted in local leadership and human rights education—showed how real change could happen. We funded Tostan’s Community Empowerment Program in ten Senegalese villages, and soon after, I brought my family to see the impact for ourselves.
I’ll never forget the village chief telling us, “We now understand the importance of human rights… We have ended child and forced marriage, and we are discussing the end of female genital cutting.” In just eight months, we saw new leaders emerging and communities striving to protect and empower women and girls. Seeing my children witness this transformation was the most moving part of all.
Alexandra:
Growing up, I watched my parents pour their hearts into philanthropy. Being invited to those family foundation meetings, asked for my input, and encouraged to get involved was formative. But nothing prepared me for the moment I set foot in Senegal and met the women and men whose lives had changed because of Tostan’s work. One woman who greeted us had not only found her voice—she had become an elected representative. I saw hope and dignity on faces everywhere.
For me, this experience made philanthropy real. It inspired me to deepen my involvement with Tostan Canada. Today, I serve on the board, helping with marketing and communications and passing this commitment on to my own daughters—who recently ran a lemonade stand to raise money for the local children’s hospital. It’s become part of who we are as a family.
Together:
Tostan Canada remains the heart of our family’s philanthropic work because we see the long-term, ripple-effect impact it has—transforming lives, empowering communities,
and upholding women’s and children’s rights for generations. Our story is one of partnership, learning, and legacy—a testament to what’s possible when families, like ours and yours, join together to fuel change.
Will you join us? Your gift to Tostan Canada strengthens this vital work, empowering communities and creating a lasting legacy of hope. We invite you to be part of our family’s journey—and help spark change that lasts.