Girls Livelihood and Mentorship Initiative (GLAMI)

GLAMI was formed in 2019 as a Tanzanian NGO led by Tanzanian women and a Tanzanian Board of Directors. Prior to that, we were known as AfricAid Tanzania, which was formed in 2010.

Only 39% of girls in Tanzania go to secondary school and even less go on to university. Girls in Tanzania face barriers to education that include poverty, pregnancy, and early marriage. We are on the mission to change that, and we accomplish our mission through our two extracurricular programs : Kisa Program and Binti Shupavu. We envision a future where Tanzanian girls have equal access to high- quality educational opportunities that empower them to achieve their goals and better their communities.

Through our programs, Kisa Program and Binti Shupavu Program, we support secondary school girls in Tanzania to complete their education, develop into confident leaders, and transform their own lives and that of their communities by providing them with the skills they need to succeed and thrive.

Kisa Program is a two-year leadership course that prepares girls (approximately aged 16 - 20) in their last two years of upper secondary school to attend university and create positive social change in their communities. Kisa means “story” in Swahili and through this program, young Tanzanian girls are empowered to become the creative authors of their future stories. To date, we have mentored 6,416 Kisa Scholars across 25 partner schools in Tanzania, with 100% of graduates successfully enrolling in university.

Binti Shupavu is a four-year life skills course for lower secondary school girls (approximately aged 12 - 18) covering topics on study skills, personal leadership, health, and self-confidence to increase graduation rates for vulnerable girls. Binti Shupavu means ‘courageous daughters’ in Swahili and through this program girls build confidence, resilience and the determination to succeed no matter what. To date, we have mentored 4,729 Binti Scholars across 32 partner schools in Tanzania, with 82% of scholars graduating from lower secondary school and passing their exams.

We partner with 50 secondary schools in Tanzania with 7 partner school overlapping with both programs, to engage girls in our two extracurricular mentoring programs and provide girls with lifeskills, leadership, entrepreneurship, and social emotional learning so they can overcome challenges, finish secondary school, and have more opportunities for further study.

When a Kisa or Binti Scholar completes the program, they have the opportunity to join our Alumni community. Through this network, we continue to engage our graduates by offering various training and support as they progress on their educational journeys. For Kisa Alumni, this support includes job readiness training, alumni gatherings, scholarship opportunities, and opportunities formed from the Kisa University clubs. Binti Program Alumni receive support through activities such as Opportunity Day, Health and Wealth Day, and scholarship opportunities. In addition to these, all alumni have access to toll-free numbers, allowing them to call and seek further support from our social workers at no cost.

We equip girls to overcome challenges and reach their full potential because educated girls create lasting positive change. The outcome is proactive, resilient, and socially responsible girls who are resilient in the face of change, secure better jobs, raise healthier families, and increase the standing of women in society.

For more information please visit www.glami.or.tz