Mwanaisha: A Story of IMPACT

I was born in a low-income family in Bagamoyo, in a community that sees no use in educating a girl – because of this I was enrolled to school at a later age, being the oldest in my class after my mother pleaded my case for years. I was forced to work to find money for every small need at school because they did not want to spend their money on “educating a girl who will just get married anyway”. I worked as a part-time maid, and in a pineapple farm, and that meant I could not attend classes well, and as a result, I failed my form 4 exams. I have tried resiting for the exams a few times, to no success. My extended family was discriminating against me and calling me rubbish for my efforts to be educated and have a life with impact. This threw me into isolation, and eventually, depression where I could not do anything and would just sit the whole day. I got a housemaid job in Dodoma but I was fired after 1 week for rejecting sexual advances. My mother kept encouraging me, telling me to trust God and pray every day. It was around this time, when I was contacted about Mama Jasiri. This project has entered my heart even though in the beginning I was not taking it positively, but I love the impact it is having in our lives so much. I was the project to continue and impact more young women and teen mothers. I want to stay behind as a trainer for the new cohort. Even without the breakfast and the transportation allowance, I would still come here. It has given me lifelong friends. I am now focused on the IMPACT my impacted life can have on others, I exist to serve.