By Rose Ngaa | Communications & Marketing Officer
Felister Joseph, a 2019 alumna of the Kisa Program led by GLAMI in Tanzania, has gone from being a shy and quiet student to becoming a confident entrepreneur, business coach, and community changemaker.
Today, she runs her own business selling shoes and handbags, mentors young entrepreneurs on digital marketing, and is in the process of launching an organization to equip girls in her community with vocational skills.
Her journey is a powerful example of how mentorship through the Kisa Program, empowers young women to discover their voices and step into leadership.
Felister first learned about Kisa from a classmate after joining Langasani High School in Moshi. Although she had enrolled late and missed the program’s initial sessions, her determination opened the door to enroll into mentorship that reshaped her future.
“The mentors treated us as future leaders, not just students,” Felister recalls. “It was a safe, empowering space—very different from regular classes where mistakes often brought punishment.”
Building Confidence Through Mentorship
Kisa mentorship sessions gave Felister opportunities to practice public speaking, explore leadership, and engage with real-world challenges. Career Day exposed her to professionals across industries, while health symposia gave her practical knowledge about reproductive health and wellbeing.
“The mentors and expertise spoke to us openly, without fear or judgment. That honesty helped me understand how to plan for my future and protect my goals” she said.
Before joining Kisa, Felister described herself as shy, reserved, and lacking confidence—often hesitant to share her thoughts at home or in class. But through mentorship, she dismantled cultural barriers that silenced her voice.
“Now, I speak up—and my parents are often surprised by my confidence,” she said with a smile.
Today, Felister is a thriving entrepreneur and mentor in her own right. She runs a business selling shoes and handbags (@fey_collection_centre), while coaching small business owners on how to grow their ventures using digital platforms.
“Public speaking and leadership skills I learned from Kisa are the same ones I use now when training other entrepreneurs,” she explained.
Her vision extends beyond business success. Felister is in the process of registering her own organization to empower girls in her community. She plans to provide vocational training, especially in tailoring, to support young women who have dropped out of school or never had the opportunity to attend.
Felister has already begun organizing community charity initiatives, mobilizing others to contribute resources to orphanages and vulnerable families. For her, giving back is not just a dream but a responsibility.
Felister attributes her transformation to the guidance of her mentors, who encouraged her persistence and commitment. She also continues to stay connected with GLAMI’s alumnae network, where she gains ongoing empowerment and business opportunities.
When asked to summarize her Kisa experience in a single word, Felister didn’t hesitate: “Empowering”.
Her story is proof that when girls are given access to education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities, they unlock not only their own potential but also the potential of their communities.
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