Gender Equality Tanzania, United Republic of Project #8947

Life-Changing Mentorship for Tanzanian Girls

by Daring Girls

Life-Changing Mentorship for Tanzanian Girls

Project Report | May 19, 2025
Alumnae Spotlight: Lilian & Kisa Practical Skills

By Jessica Love | Executive Director

Rose and Lilian

Alumnae Spotlight: Lilian Kleo on Confidence, Engineering, and Biscuits

Welcome to the Alumnae Spotlight Series, where Daring Girls celebrates the incredible young women mentored by our sister organization GLAMI in Tanzania. These women are now out in the world, shaping their futures and making change in their communities. In this conversation, host Rose Ngaa sits down with Lilian Kilwo, a university student and entrepreneur, to talk about her journey through the Kisa Project and how it continues to shape her life.

This transcript was edited for clarity and flow. Watch the original conversation on the Daring Girls Instagram page.

Rose: Welcome, Lilian! Can you start by telling us a little about yourself?

Lilian: Thank you! My name is Lilian Kilewo. I'm currently a student at the Water Institute. I'm taking a four-year degree course in Water Resource and Irrigation Engineering.

Rose: That’s incredible—and in such a male-dominated field! I’m really proud of you. How did you first join the Kisa Project?

Lilian: I joined the Kisa Project when I was in advanced level education at Mkuu High School in Kilimanjaro. The program had already been introduced at our school through the KISA Project under GLAMI. At first, I was confused about whether to join. Some of my classmates said it was a waste of time since it wasn’t about class subjects. But I’ve always liked things that involve the community, so I pushed myself to join this. Honestly, I’ve never regretted it. How I am now—it’s partly because of GLAMI and my mentors and their contribution.

Rose: So when you joined, you thought it would be like another school subject?

Lilian: Yes, I thought it would be tied to what we were studying. But I realized it was something totally different. It was practical, and it built me up. It was fun and enjoyable!

Rose: That’s great. What year are you in now at university?

Lilian: I’m in my third year of a four-year course. So next year—I graduate!

Rose: How did Kisa mentorship prepare you for university life?

Lilian: Maybe I wouldn’t even be here if I hadn’t passed through KISA. I was a little shy before, only comfortable around people I knew. But Kisa helped me build confidence. They gave us career days where we met different professionals and learned what university life was really like. It gave me a clear picture.

Rose: You mentioned confidence. That’s a big one.

Lilian: Yes. Confidence, experience, and even mental preparation. University life can be luxurious, but also overwhelming. Kisa helped me know how to handle it.

Rose: What practical skills did you gain from Kisa?

Lilian: First and mainly—entrepreneurship. I learned how to see my own passion and realize, “I can do this.” When I was in school, I started selling things—pens, sweets, biscuits. I used the profits to help with my school needs. Now, I sell handbags and shoes. I don’t have a shop yet, but I advertise during the week and deliver on weekends.

Rose: That’s so impressive. And you said you also learned about community participation?

Lilian: Yes. I used to be shy about taking part in community events. Now I’m involved with an organization that visits orphanages and schools. We help out and educate others. I even visit my old school to inspire students.

Rose: How do you balance all of this—engineering studies and running a business?

Lilian: Kisa taught me time management. That’s key. I prioritize what needs to be done. During the week, I advertise. Weekends, I deliver. My classmates ask me, “How did you make such a big step in a short time?” One even asked me for the secret! But it’s hard to explain everything—we learned it over two years in Kisa. Things like how to manage money, how to save, how to set goals.

Rose: That’s exactly why mentorship matters. How do you see yourself now, compared to girls who didn’t go through the program?

Lilian: There’s a big difference. I’m confident. I manage my time well. I know how to take care of myself and support myself. Kisa taught us about self-awareness, entrepreneurship, leadership. I don’t blame myself for joining. I’m proud of who I am now.

Rose: You’re an inspiration. What would you say to girls considering joining the program?

Lilian: Join. It’s worth it. Maybe other girls wanted to share their journey, and I’m lucky I got this chance. Thank you to all the mentors—Madam Catherine, Madam Nice, and everyone. You brought positive thoughts into our minds. Before, we thought things like engineering or medicine were only for men. Now, girls can do all those things too.

Rose: Lilian, thank you so much. Your story—from selling sweets to selling handbags, from being shy to leading in your field—is truly powerful. We’re so proud of you and all the girls rising up because of Kisa mentorship.

Lilian: Thank you for the opportunity. I appreciate it so much.

Your Support Helps Girls Like Lilian

Lilian’s journey shows the lasting impact of mentorship. From building confidence to running a business, the skills she gained through the Kisa Project continue to shape her life. Thank you for your donations to Daring Girls in support of Kisa Project!

Instagram Live

Links:

Watch Rose's interview with Lilian on Daring Girls' Instagram

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Jan 17, 2025
Building Career Clarity, Confidence, and Readiness

By Suzan Damian and Rauhia Mohammed | Program Mentors, GLAMI (Daring Girls' sister org)

Your support for Daring Girls helps our Tanzanian sister organization GLAMI (Girls Livelihood and Mentorship Initiative) deliver the Kisa Project, a two-year life skills and socially responsible leadership course for girls completing their final two years of secondary school.

Career exploration is an important piece of this program and GLAMI goes to great lengths to expose Kisa Scholars to career opportunities and experts who can help scholars understand how to chart and follow a course to fulfil their career goals.

In this update, Daring Girls is delighted to share with you a slightly shortened version of a recent blog post written by GLAMI mentors Suzan Damian and Rauhia Mohammed:

Read the full post at this link on the GLAMI website.

During their two years in Kisa Project, scholars participate in four organized career sessions, two held each year. These sessions play a crucial role in helping scholars navigate their interests and align them with future career goals.

During Year 1, Kisa Scholars participate in two career sessions designed to help them understand and identify their desired careers, jobs, and career paths. In Year 2, Kisa Scholars also go through two career sessions. The first career session prepares Kisa Year 2 Scholars for a career exhibition, popularly known as ‘Career Day’—an event where Kisa scholars meet skilled professionals in their fields of interest to learn from them. During this session, scholars learn effective strategies for researching their chosen careers and developing essential skills such as time management, organization, creativity, and teamwork. These skills are crucial for delivering a strong career presentation. While the final career session prepares these girls for University life.

Through the career sessions and Career Day, Kisa Scholars also discover their unique strengths, interests, and values that align with their career goals. As one Kisa Scholar said, “Before the career session, I was uncertain about which career path to follow, and it left me feeling stuck. But after attending, I discovered the career I truly want is marketing and sales and learned alot about it… My goal is to work in global marketing, raising sales of products from one country to another. One of my favorite parts of the session was learning about modern ways to pursue our dreams. It motivated me to work hard and aim high… I now feel confident in my choice of marketing and sales and know I can give it my best.”

GLAMI mentors play a significant role in these sessions, guiding scholars in their journey of self-discovery. Fatuma, one GLAMI mentor, reflects on the experience: “As a mentor, I facilitated the first career session of the year for my Year Two Kisa Scholars, which was considered the third session of their two-year program which turned out to be incredibly beneficial for them. It gave them a clearer understanding of their career paths and helped them prepare to showcase their careers on the Career Day. Having a mentor guide this session made a big difference, as it allowed the scholars to easily grasp the process and feel ready for the upcoming career exhibition.”

Alice a GLAMI mentor at Magadini Secondary School, shares her perspective : “For me, it was a good experience, as we helped our scholars learn how to research their career paths. This made them realize their chosen careers were not as overwhelming as they once thought. For instance, some students wanted to become lawyers but didn’t know the required qualifications, which universities offer law courses, or what being a lawyer truly entails. Through the career session, they gained valuable insights they had not known before… ”

The final career session focuses on preparing scholars for the transition to university. It covers essential topics such as university applications, loan applications, the criteria for selecting courses, and important timelines. During this session, career experts, including university lecturers, are invited to share their insights, exposing scholars to the realities of university life.

The impact of career sessions have been significant for GLAMI alumnae, many of whom have successfully applied for university courses and secured student loans. By reflecting on the motivations behind their chosen careers, scholars have greater understanding of university applications, loan applications, and course selections. This impact is testified by our alumna, Irene M., from Kifaru Secondary School, who said, “I am currently a university student at Tumaini University in Dar es Salaam, and my journey here has been a success thanks to the career sessions that guided me through the university application process. The knowledge I gained helped me choose the right course Mass Communication because I aspire to become a journalist. I also secured a place at the university I wanted, which is perfect for my field. Additionally, the guidance I received on applying for a student loan was invaluable, allowing me to successfully secure financial support. Without this session, I might not have made it to university, or I could have ended up at the wrong college…”

Another Alumna, Marry S. said “Before the career session, I had two dreams—becoming a lawyer or a diplomat—and felt unsure about which path to take. But after the career sessions and presentation, everything became clearer, and I felt more certain about the direction I want to pursue. This experience was so important because it gave me focus and determination, helping me understand who I am and where I want to go…One of the most memorable parts was hearing from the lecturer, who shared real-life experiences that gave us an honest view of life. They boosted our self-esteem, self-worth, and confidence, which is so valuable as we prepare for the future.“

Kisa Program’s career sessions have a profound and lasting impact on GLAMI scholars. Through mentorship and exposure to professionals and experts, scholars gain clarity, practical skills, and a deeper understanding of the realities they will face as they progress in their careers and education.

Links:

Read the full blog on the GLAMI website.

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Sep 19, 2024
"Total Mastery": a Kisa Lesson on Menstruation

By Ashley (Shuyler) Carter | Founder, Daring Girls

Reflections from Daring Girls Founder, Ashley (Shuyler) Carter

This past July, I traveled to Tanzania with my family, taking my two young daughters to Tanzania – a place that remains so special and dear to me – for the very first time. We visited a Kisa Project class at Harambee Secondary School, just outside of the town of Moshi. Kisa classes are taught to girls in their final two years of secondary school, so this was a class of girls who I would imagine were roughly 15-19 years old.

My parents, my two daughters and I joined the class, along with two mentors from the GLAMI team. We were each invited to sit next to scholars in various parts of the classroom, all of whom greeted us with big smiles. As the class got started, we quickly realized that the topic for this particular Kisa lesson was “the menstrual cycle.” We were somewhat surprised that this was a topic the team was comfortable teaching in front of visitors, and that the class would be comfortable discussing menstruation in front of us. My dad quietly asked one of the mentors if he should step out of the classroom, and she looked at him with surprise, essentially responding: “oh no, definitely not!” We were deeply impressed as we realized that this was a topic that the mentors felt fully comfortable presenting and discussing – even in front of men – and even in front of visitors.

My daughters loved meeting Kisa Scholars!

A Caring, Nuanced Presentation

The lesson was delivered with total mastery. The mentor spent the first half of the two hour class ensuring the scholars understood the biology of the menstrual cycle. She started the class by asking how many scholars in the room had parents who discussed menstruation with them. A very small number of the two dozen scholars in the room raised their hands. As the scholars asked questions along the way, it became clear how deeply they valued someone taking the time to explain this topic in a caring and nuanced way. As a nurse, my mom was blown away by the quality of instruction by the mentor.

The lesson became even more powerful when the mentor started connecting the biological aspects of the lesson with practical aspects of the scholars’ lives. She spent time talking through the various products scholars could use to manage their cycle, speaking to the benefits and challenges associated with pads, tampons, and cups. She discussed how scholars might dispose of these sanitary products in a school setting, where there aren’t typically obvious or private ways to do so. And she connected all of this to the circumstances in which scholars may become pregnant. Everything she shared was communicated in a matter-of-fact, non-judgmental way, equipping the scholars with the critical information they needed to show up at school on a daily basis — and to stay in school. Menstruation is something that so often prevents girls from going to school, and early or unwanted pregnancy is something that almost always ends a girl’s educational career.

The result was powerful. Scholars’ hands went up like popcorn. Everyone had a question to ask, as this type of frank and caring conversation with an adult was likely rare for most of the girls in the room. And they had no qualms about asking their honest questions in front of a group of visitors.

The Power of a Woman Role Model

This experience made clear to me the power of the curriculum-driven mentoring programs GLAMI delivers. The combination of instruction on some of the topics most important to these girls’ lives (topics they are most often not typically taught by others) along with caring and trusted mentorship is powerful. They are given the knowledge they need to take control over their own educational and professional futures (to “write their own stories,” which is the meaning of “kisa” in Swahili). And they have someone they trust in their lives, encouraging them and supporting them through the inevitable ups and downs of life as a teenage girl in Tanzania.

I returned home more inspired than ever by the quality with which the GLAMI team is delivering its mentoring curricula, the caring with Kisa Project which mentors are supporting girls in their individual needs, and the scale at which they are doing all of this: 10,000 Kisa Project and Binti Shupavu scholars and growing every year!

My family with the entire class of Kisa Scholars.

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