Kisa Program | Binti Shupavu Program | Kisa and Binti Alumni | 13th May 2025
Elizabeth is a proud graduate of both GLAMI programs. She completed the Binti Shupavu program in 2018 at Rau Secondary School and later graduated from the Kisa Program at Ashira Girls Secondary School in 2021. She is among the few scholars who have had the opportunity to benefit from both programs — and one of the very first to receive Binti Shupavu’s life skills training.
Elizabeth has always dreamed of becoming a successful entrepreneur. It’s a vision she’s held since childhood and continues to pursue with determination. This is her story — and how the support and skills she gained from GLAMI programs shaped her journey.
Discovering Binti Shupavu Program
Elizabeth first encountered GLAMI when she joined lower secondary school, that is Form One at Rau Secondary in 2017. She recalls how the new students were gathered for an introduction to the Binti Shupavu program. Curious and eager to grow, Elizabeth joined the program because she struggled with self-confidence and wanted a change. From the introduction she received about the Binti Shupavu program, she believed it was the best place to nurture and build her confidence.
“I was never confident,” she shared. “I feared speaking in front of people. I couldn’t even stand in class to answer questions or participate actively in group discussions because I was shy and afraid to do so.”
She also admitted that at the time, she had no clear goals or sense of direction for her future. But her mentor, Madam Salma, saw her potential. By regularly encouraging her to participate in class and checking in on her well-being, Madam Salma built a trusting relationship with Elizabeth to help her become more confident and fully realize her potential.
One Binti Shupavu unit that particularly stood out to Elizabeth was “Personal Leadership and Motivation.” It helped her discover her strengths and clarified her dream of becoming an entrepreneur — a dream inspired by her cousin, who worked on a small family shop. During school breaks, Elizabeth would help her cousin in the shop to practice basic business skills.
Over the four years of Binti Shupavu, Elizabeth witnessed significant transformation. She became more confident, clear about her ambitions, and motivated to pursue her goals.
Joining Kisa and Taking Leadership
In 2019, Elizabeth joined upper secondary school at Ashira Girls Secondary School for her advanced-level studies. However, financial hardship nearly prevented her from enrolling. She reached out to her former mentor, Madam Salma, who referred her case to GLAMI’s Social Worker, Madam Elizabeth. With their support, Elizabeth was provided with the necessities she needed to join school.
At Ashira, Elizabeth eagerly joined the Kisa Program, already familiar with GLAMI’s impact. She was particularly excited to learn about leadership and solving community challenges. Lessons like Visionary Leadership, Creativity, and Innovation opened her eyes to new possibilities.
“I never thought I could lead others,” she admitted. But her classmates noticed her growth and appointed her as Assistant Class Monitress, leading 35 fellow scholars.
“The way Binti and Kisa changed me made me confident not only in my eyes, but also in the eyes of others.”
Inspired by what she learned in the Kisa lessons such as creativity and innovation, Elizabeth was motivated to grow her entrepreneurship skills by starting a baking business. During school holidays, she began baking cookies, biscuits and breads and selling them in bulk to nearby shops. She used the profits to save for future business expansion and to cover some of her personal needs — all thanks to the Kisa Program lessons on budgeting and saving.
Giving Back Through Leadership and Innovation
In her second year of the Kisa Program, Elizabeth participated in the 2-Day Challenge activity, where she and a group of fellow Year Two Kisa Scholars from Ashira Secondary School built a dedicated area for students to hang their washed clothes. This project addressed a real challenge: during the rainy season, many students struggled to dry their uniforms and either wore wet clothes or avoided washing them altogether, which affected their hygiene and health.
Elizabeth shared, “Since we were taught how to identify community challenges, we recognized the lack of a proper area to hang washed clothes during the rainy season and decided to solve it.” The constructed space now benefits approximately 70 scholars daily, helping them maintain cleanliness and comfort even in difficult weather conditions.
After graduating from the Kisa Program and high school in 2021, Elizabeth joined Moshi Cooperative University (MOCU) to study Microfinance and Enterprises Development. During her first year, her family again faced financial difficulties that they could not afford to pay for her fees in the second semester. She reached out to GLAMI and was supported with a scholarship for her second semester, allowing her to continue her studies. While at university, Elizabeth successfully kept her baking business running. She continued baking and selling cakes and other baking items to fellow students—some ordered birthday cakes, while others requested bread, cupcakes, and biscuits. Her baking brand grew steadily, with her products reaching not only nearby shops but also students across the university.
Elizabeth also remained actively involved with GLAMI. She was invited to supervise a 2-Day Challenge project where Kisa Scholars taught baking skills to community members in Kilimanjaro to enhance their entrepreneurship abilities and promote economic empowerment. As an alumna, she guided both the scholars and the community through hands-on cake baking sessions. Additionally, she joined the Kisa University Club, where she and other alumni organized charity activities, including support for a local orphanage.
Elizabeth graduated from University in 2024 and currently volunteers as an Intern at BRAC. On weekends, she continues to bake and sell cakes, cookies, and breads — sometimes taking custom orders based on her customers’ requests.
“I’m baking different sweet dishes and I plan to expand my business so I can create opportunities for others, especially young people and women who are currently unemployed. I believe everyone has potential — they just need the right support and chance to grow.”
Elizabeth dreams of one day opening a bakery store and also providing baking training where she can teach others baking and entrepreneurship skills, helping them build their own sources of income and businesses.
She is living proof that with support, determination, and the right guidance, every young person can unlock their potential and lead a life of purpose, leadership, and impact.
