Daring Girls partners locally to ensure that girls have the knowledge, tools, mentorship, and support to confidently design their own futures.
What does it mean to be daring?
When girls grow up in communities where they are not valued or viewed as equal, access to a strong woman mentor is key to helping girls understand their worth and see their potential.
Through two core mentoring programs, Kisa Project (ages 17-21) and Binti Shupavu (ages 12-18), we support girls who dare to do something different, who choose to prioritize their education and take control of their futures. Every week, these Scholars show up to learn together in a supportive environment from a successful, university educated woman mentor who exemplifies what they can become. As a result, girls become more resilient, more confident, and more prepared to set and reach their goals.
Supporting UNESCO Award-Winning Mentorship Programming
Mentoring and life skills development programs have been shown to improve adolescent social skills and emotional well-being, and have shown that girls in particular benefit. Steeped in this research, the mentoring programs we support focus on goal setting and building resilience through long-term, structured lessons and curricula that involve girls, their parents, school leadership, and their surrounding community. The result? Lifelong impact and enduring bonds between girls, their peers, and their mentors.
In 2022, our sister organization, GLAMI, was recognized with the UNESCO Prize for Girls’ and Women’s Education for their leadership in helping girls safely transition between education levels through Kisa Project and Binti Shupavu. Developed together over our 20+ year history of partnership, these programs consistently support girls in graduating at higher rates, with higher test scores than their peers.
Maua, in her motorcycle parts shop.
Preparing Girls to Succeed, No Matter What
Maua felt prepared to sit her final Form 4 exams. But, things didn't go as expected. Her exam results were not high enough to allow her to continue her education. However, participating in Binti Shupavu had taught Maua how to be proactive and take initiative, so she began to formulate plans to launch her own business.
"Becoming confident and motivated to do something made me not scared to start a business. I can confidently speak to anyone anywhere! I currently have multiple small businesses, which include selling reusable pads, fabrics, underwear, dresses and menswear. I even run a spare parts shop for motorcycles! I am proud to say that through these businesses I am 100% financially independent. I also help to support my family."
Maua Shaban Fonga, Binti Shupavu Alumna