Communications | Binti Graduations | Binti Program | 17th November 2023

In Tanzania, the journey through the educational system is a transformative one. When students complete their seven years of primary education, they embark on a path that leads to four years of lower secondary school (Ordinary Level), followed by two years of higher secondary school (Advanced Level) before they can pursue a university education. This is how the Tanzanian Education System is designed to work.

However, many girls in secondary school face challenges that have made it difficult for them to stay in school, complete their Education and transition to higher studies. These challenges include poverty, health challenges, early marriages, early pregnancies, peer pressure and lack of support from their family or communities. 

Recognizing the magnitude of this challenge, GLAMI stepped in and introduced the Binti Shupavu Program. This four-year extracurricular leadership course is designed for adolescent girls in lower secondary school, with the  primary mission of increasing graduation rates for girls in secondary school. These girls are provided with a dedicated highly skilled Mentor who guides them through weekly lessons, equipping them with invaluable skills to navigate obstacles and achieve their dreams.

‘Binti Shupavu,’ Swahili for ‘Courageous Daughter,’reflects the determination and strength of these girls as they face the challenges that lie ahead.

The Binti Shupavu Scholars receive guidance and counseling while being coached in five key pillars: Motivation and Personal Leadership, Health and Wellness, Developing Potential, Study Skills, and Strength and Resilience. These pillars are designed to work together in a circular module over the course of four years, with the ultimate goal of helping these girls graduate from secondary school.

Since the program’s successive piloting in 2017, we have witnessed a massive impact of the program on the girls we have mentored. We have witnessed the increase in girls from our program graduating from lower secondary schools, becoming confident, ambitious, taking leadership positions in schools and becoming socially responsible leaders.

This year has brought immense joy as we witnessed 1,126 scholars graduating from the Binti Program and are successfully sitting for their final exams. What makes this achievement even more exciting is that these scholars belonged to the class of 2020-2023. They embarked on their Binti Shupavu journey during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by severe school closures and disruptions. 99.9% of Binti Scholars who enrolled in the program in 2020 have successfully graduated this year. This achievement is a testament to the profound impact of our program, highlighting the resilience and determination of both the scholars and our initiative.

During Binti Shupavu graduation celebrations, our scholars were provided with certificates as an award for them for completing this leadership and transformative journey. We believe that girls in our program deserve to be recognized as socially responsible leaders, recognized for their effort in staying in school, completing the lower secondary school and getting ready to face their futures as ‘Courageous Daughters.‘

We asked the assistant Head of School from Nkoanrua Secondary School to share his observed Impact of the program to the girls in his school, especially given that this was the class that began their lower secondary school when COVID-19 had hit to an extent of long term school closures. He said, “We are proud to see these girls graduating given that they started their secondary school  journey in a year that was globally so challenging, and here we are witnessing the same girls graduating from school, we are so proud of them.”

The pandemic did not stop these girls to strive for their dreams, they kept pushing their limits aiming to be the best version of themselves. Mercy Binti Shupavu graduate explained how the program has impacted her school life in general. She said, “I am who I am today because of my Mentor”. When I was in form one and the COVID-19 pandemic forced school closures, I worried I wouldn’t return to school and that I wouldn’t see my Mentor again. Thanks to GLAMI, they reached out to us and many other girls while we were at home through a radio program, calls, and text messages via our parents, ensuring our safety and progress. This support kept me going through the season until I returned to school, and now, here I am today, graduating!“

Josephine Martin Binti Shupavu Liaison at Nkoanrua Secondary school said she had witnessed changes from this outgoing cohort in various perspectives, academic performance, change of behavior and seeing many Binti Shupavu scholars taking various leadership roles at school hence become a catalyst of change to other students who are not part of the program.

Many Binti Shupavu Scholars have stepped into leadership roles, reflecting their newfound confidence and readiness to address community challenges. When asked what motivated them to take these positions, their consistent answer is the “Binti Shupavu Program.” They credit their Mentors for encouraging and challenging them to embrace leadership. Through their leadership, they’ve influenced positive behavioral changes at their schools. Shanilla, a form four Binti Shupavu graduate, shares her transformation: “I was shy and struggled to speak before audiences. I approached my Mentor, who pushed me to be brave. With practice during Binti Shupavu sessions like answering questions in class, I gained confidence. I eventually contested for a students academic leadership role at school and got elected. The Binti Shupavu program changed my life.“

Amidst the celebrations, Binti graduates are provided with brochures introducing them to Binti Alumni activities, which are Community Support groups, Binti Opportunity day and Binti Health and wealth Day. The intention behind providing this information is to keep the graduates aware of when, why, and how these Alumni activities are conducted, therefore enhancing their awareness and encouraging participation in these impactful Alumni events.The brochures also include details such as the alumni coordinator’s mobile phone number and the toll-free number, ensuring that graduates can stay in touch with GLAMI and are provided with support whenever they face challenges or seek advice.

Looking back to all the support we had in these girls during Covid-19 and past it, we are proud to witness this milestone. These girls have turned out to be resilient and ready to face future challenges as they proved it in the year 2020. Our year four Binti Shupavu Scholars class of 2020-2023  have successfully completed the Binti Program and are ready to continue with their future journey of becoming the change we want to see in the world.