Life-Changing Mentorship for Tanzanian Girls

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.