Communications | Kisa Alumni | 24th May 2024
At GLAMI, we believe that the journey to leadership doesn’t stop after school – it’s just the beginning. That’s why the Kisa Program Alumni Network (KAN) exists, to support and connect Kisa alumnae during their university years, helping them to grow, network, and reach their fullest potential. KAN gatherings are held in four zones across Tanzania – Kilimanjaro/Arusha, Mwanza, Dar es Salaam, and Dodoma – providing alumnae from nearby regions the chance to learn, connect, and showcase their work.
In planning this event, KAN puts alumni in the driver’s seat, encouraging them to choose the topics they are interested in and helping arrange the dates around their university schedules. This year’s event in Dodoma and Dar es Salaam drew a total of 104 alumni, including 74 attendees in Dar es Salaam and 30 in Dodoma. The events covered essential topics chosen by the alumni themselves, with sessions on “Entrepreneurship” and “Health and Unhealthy Relationships,” creating an exciting blend of learning, networking, and inspiration.
For Dodoma alumni, the sessions focused on building financial management skills and learning how to juggle both business and studies. Led by Ezza Mbagga, this session was impactful. Ezza shared, “The students benefited greatly from learning about budgeting and saving. They would often put everything back into their businesses, but we discussed why saving is essential for the future.”
In Dar es Salaam, the theme of “Health and Unhealthy Relationships” resonated deeply with the group. Facilitator Chonge Tukwa noted, “The choice of topic was really fitting for the nature of the group we were reaching. Alumni got to see how it feels to be reminded about the importance of maintaining healthy relationships.”
The alumni involved also had the chance to showcase their small businesses, presenting everything from handmade crafts to food items. This wasn’t just an opportunity for sales but a platform for young entrepreneurs to celebrate their achievements with like-minded peers. For many, this experience was a powerful way to connect their passions with their peers and even future clients.
Planning KAN takes a team effort. Our GLAMI staff including alumni coordinator worked alongside dedicated GLAMI mentors, setting up WhatsApp groups by region to make sure every alumna was updated on plans and involved in the decision-making. For each zone, alumni volunteers worked behind the scenes to arrange venues, secure food vendors, and ensure that every detail was covered.
Beyond the individual benefits, the KAN gatherings also introduced new alumni to the Kisa University Club (KUC), a club that empowers Kisa alumni in universities by offering a supportive environment to grow in their education, careers, and personal lives.
One alumna, Maria John, captured the event’s impact well, saying, “I am thankful to GLAMI for preparing the KAN event. From the training, now I can manage my business and still get time to study as well.” Another alumna, Oliver Joseph, shared, “Before I attended this training, I thought ‘Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships’ was only about romantic relationships. Now I see it’s much broader, and I’m going to practice healthy relationships from now on.”
Kisa Alumni engaged in a group activity on healthy and unhealthy relationships
As a gathering that empowers Kisa alumnae with the tools and support to thrive, KAN stands out as an essential part of the GLAMI journey. By bringing alumni together to learn, share, and connect, KAN strengthens a community of inspired and capable young women who, in turn, inspire others. Every KAN gathering and Kisa University Clubs reminds us of the ripple effect of mentorship – from GLAMI mentors to alumni and now alumni to each other. It’s a cycle of growth, empowerment, and lasting impact that we’re proud to foster.
In the words of Maryglory, a mentor and alumna, “KAN is so important because, apart from reconnecting alumni with GLAMI, it gives them a chance to learn about topics that they care about. Alumni will benefit from the training a lot if they keep in mind what they’ve learned, especially about small business management, because they’re still studying.”
KAN embodies GLAMI’s commitment to support Kisa alumnae every step of the way, from mentees to alumni and, ultimately, to leaders. The alumni community is thriving, and we’re thrilled to continue this journey together.
