Communications | Mentorship | Program Mentors | 14th September 2023

GLAMI Mentors play a fundamental and essential role in the success  of GLAMI programs. They are a crucial and integral part of the Organization’s Initiatives,  working tirelessly in collaboration with their Managers to empower young Tanzanian girls, helping them develop leadership skills, unlock their potential, and inspire transformation. A mentor is not just a guide but also a role model, a friend, and a source of strength, offering unwavering support to young girls.

Catherine Sanga is a remarkable GLAMI mentor who joined our team in Arusha as of January this year. Catherine’s motivation stems from her own journey as a Kisa Alumni from Ashira Girls Secondary School, where she graduated in 2019. She was inspired by her mentor, Madam Salma (now the Finance Administrator for GLAMI), who played a pivotal role in her life. Catherine shares, “I was inspired to be a mentor because I’m a Kisa alumni, and the guidance of my mentor shaped me into who I am today. I want to be able to mentor other girls and see how progressive they can be because of me.”

Professionally, Catherine is an expert in Economics and Project Planning and Management, skills that have proven invaluable in her role as a GLAMI Mentor.

A Day in Catherine’s Life as a Mentor:

Here Catherine provides insight into her daily routine as a GLAMI Mentor. Her week is filled with meaningful activities that collectively make a difference in the lives of young girls she Mentors:

• Mondays: Catherine starts her day early, ensuring she’s at the office by 9:00 AM. The day begins with a staff meeting, setting the tone for the week ahead. Afterward, she prepares lessons and materials for Monday’s module delivery. In the afternoon, she heads to a Binti Shupavu mentoring  session, typically lasting for 1 and ½ hours.
• Tuesdays: Catherine and her fellow Mentors spend a good part of the Tuesday morning going through the Class Modules discussing the best ways to deliver the different topics available for the scholars. Teamwork and collaboration are at the core of this activity. She later on  visits another school for a Kisa Program session delivery.
• Wednesdays: Catherine attends a peer-to-peer training session in the morning. These  weekly training sessions offer Mentorship to the entire staff by staff on various topics, fostering personal and professional growth.
• Thursdays: Program Special Events meetings occupy this day, focusing on planning some of our big events like the upcoming Kisa Career Day! And like usual, in the afternoon, Catherine heads to the school of the day to meet with the Binti Shupavu scholars.
• Fridays: Catherine goes to Longido Secondary School! This Secondary school is located 82 km from the center of the city where our Arusha office is located and this is where Catherine delivers her Mentorship sessions to the Kisa scholars every Friday. 
• Saturdays: Before starting her weekend break, Catherine dedicates her Saturday mornings at Irikisongo Secondary School to Binti Shupavu scholars.

As seen above, Catherine like every GLAMI Mentor, wears many hats; she conducts one-on-one sessions with scholars to provide individualized support, prepares and deliver module content, executes team activities such as parents engagement meetings, career days and graduations, she also attends mentoring training sessions to help her be the best Mentor for her scholars and conduct other administrative activities.

Catherine shares a heartwarming success story of one of her Mentees who aspired to be a computer engineer. By providing guidance and support, Catherine helped her build confidence and prepare for her career exhibition and ready to put in efforts for her career goal, and this is what we consider to be the Joy of Mentoring.

Catherine’s advice to those aspiring to become Mentors is inspiring: “A Mentor is someone who believes in the potential of others and selflessly invests in their future, vision, and goals. You don’t have to work somewhere to be a mentor; if you have a passion for supporting young girls or boys in achieving their dreams, you are a mentor, and the world needs people like you.”

Reflecting on her journey, Catherine emphasizes how mentoring has enriched her personal and professional life. It has boosted her self-esteem, public speaking skills, empathy, event management abilities, professionalism, and overall organizational behavior.

Catherine envisions a world where Mentorship continues to empower girls, leading to a generation of outstanding female leaders and entrepreneurs. She believes that investing in girls will not only enhance our economy but also foster a healthier community.

Mentorship is a transformative journey. Mentors like Catherine play a crucial role in guiding, inspiring, and empowering the next generation of girls. They challenge their Mentees, help them grow, and ultimately lead them to prosperity. GLAMI Mentors are exceptional and embody the spirit of growth and positive change. Once you become a part of the GLAMI family, be prepared to embark on a journey of personal and collective development.