Binti Alumna | Health and Wealth | Startup Support | 28th April 2026

When Flora’s Form Four national examination results limited her immediate opportunity to continue with formal education, she refused to let that define her future. She believed that one academic outcome could not determine her potential, and she looked for another pathway where she could continue learning, grow her skills, and build a future for herself. 

Flora is an alumna of GLAMI’s Binti Shupavu Program and completed both the program and her ordinary secondary education at Mkuu Secondary School in 2023. After completing secondary school, she participated in Binti Health and Wealth, an event designed for Binti Shupavu alumnae who are unable to transition directly to the next level of formal education after their Form Four national examinations. 

At GLAMI, we believe that when academic barriers arise, opportunity should not end. Through the three days Binti Health and Wealth, alumnae are provided with practical knowledge and skills in areas such as health and wellbeing, entrepreneurship, financial management, small business development, and guidance on opportunities to retake Form Four examinations and continue their education journey  for those who wish to improve their academic results and continue with formal education. 

For alumni interested in entrepreneurship, the event also provides practical knowledge on developing business ideas, preparing proposals, and understanding the basics of managing a small business. The event creates opportunities for young women to explore alternative pathways and develop skills that can support their independence and contribute to their communities. 

During the Binti Health and Wealth event, Flora developed a proposal to start a small grocery shop in her community, and after review, she was among the alumnae selected to receive startup support from GLAMI. The support provided included essential business items such as rice, cooking oil, sugar, wheat flour, a full box of bar soap, a weighing scale, and measuring weights. Combined with the entrepreneurship training she received, this support helped Flora establish her business and gain the confidence and knowledge needed to manage it effectively as she had paid herself for the shop rent.

Through dedication and good business management, Flora’s grocery shop began generating income. Instead of keeping the profits only for daily needs, she reinvested them into expanding her opportunities. This allowed her to start a second business, a clothing shop specializing in women’s wear. The idea for the clothing shop came from her own experience and the needs she observed within her community. Flora explains that people often admired the clothes she wore and would ask her to help them select outfits whenever she went to the market. She realized there was an opportunity to provide this service more easily within her community, especially because there was no clothing shop nearby. 

Recognizing this gap, Flora opened her clothing shop to make it easier for community members to access different clothing options without spending additional time and money traveling to the market.

Today, Flora’s two businesses have become an important source of income for her and her family. They have helped her contribute to household expenses, support her family, and build a sense of independence. Beyond the financial benefits, her businesses have also allowed her to serve her community by providing products and services that respond to local needs.

Flora attributes much of her confidence and resilience to the lessons she gained through the Binti Shupavu Program. The program helped her understand the importance of believing in herself, setting goals, and continuing forward despite challenges. The skills she gained through Binti Shupavu and the Binti Health and Wealth event continue to guide how she interacts with customers and manages her businesses. She values listening to feedback, understanding her customers’ needs, and continuously improving her services. 

Her journey is a reminder that every girl’s path looks different, and with the right support, skills, and opportunities, young women can continue building successful futures. Flora encourages other young women to remain hopeful and believe in their abilities: “Never give up. Great things can happen in countless ways. Hold on to your dreams, have a clear path, and surround yourself with the right people who will uplift you and help turn your dreams into reality. It happened to me; it can happen to anyone.”

Watch Flora share her entrepreneurial journey and how GLAMI’s support helped her build her businesses on our YouTube channel.

Written and Contributed by : Yvonne Emily, GLAMI Communications Coordinator