In East Africa, there is an endearing practice in how mothers are addressed. The best way to explain is by example. Director of Programs for Girls Livelihood and Mentorship Initiative, Devotha Mlay, has two daughters, Delyth and Delyn. Depending on which child is being referred to, Devotha is Mama Delyth or Mama Delyn. Similarly, Project Manager for GLAMI’s Binti Shupavu program in Arusha, Chausiku Mkuya, has daughters Priyah and Abby. Therefore, she is known as Mama Priyah or Mama Abby.
This Mother’s Day, some of the GLAMI staff share the valuable lessons they learned from their own mothers.
Mama Aikande
“You can dream big and become better than you are right now.”
Aikande Muro is a Senior Kisa Project Mentor and Kisa Alumna (2014). She has a bachelor’s degree in accounts and finance from Mzumbe University and recently completed her master’s in monitoring and evaluation.
Mama Anna
“You are the one to decide what is best for yourself. In everything, involve God.”
Anna Mbaga is a Kisa Aluma (2016) who served as a substitute and volunteer Kisa Mentor for three years before becoming a full-time Mentor in 2020. She has a bachelor’s degree in law from Tumaini University in Makumira.
Mama Asimwe
“The only thing that will get you out of the cycle I went through is your education. I can’t give you much, but I believe if I support your education, the education will give you much more.”
Asimwe Suedi joined GLAMI as a Kisa Mentor in 2015 and became Project Manager for Binti Shupavu when it was launched in 2017. She holds a bachelor’s degree in project planning, management, and community development from Dodoma University.
Mama Deborah
“Do your best in everything, even when it doesn’t turn out as you thought it should. Compete with yourself first before you compete with anybody else.”
Deborah Sabuni serves as Communications Officer for GLAMI and she gathered these inspiring quotes. She joined GLAMI in 2019 as a Binti Shupavu Mentor after earning a bachelor’s degree in information, communication, and technology from Mzumbe University in Morogoro.
Mama Einoth
“Discipline, kindness, and fear of God are things to take with you all the days of your life.”
Einoth Justine joined GLAMI as a Kisa Mentor in 2018. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics, project planning, and management from Mzumbe University in Morongo. She started her own organization called Help Them Write, which includes reading to children at an orphanage.
Mama Ellie
“Life is meant to be celebrated. Even when we don’t have a reason to celebrate life, we should create one.”
Eliakunda (Ellie) Kaaya is a Kisa Alumna (2013) and has been a Kisa Mentor since 2017. She holds a degree in sociology from St. Augustine University in Mwanza. With a fellowship from She’s the First, she started an organization called My Journey to School, which empowers girls in her home community.
Mama Evaline
“There is nothing good that comes out of faking life. Always remember to be your true self. Don’t live life to please others, but live a life that makes you happy.”
Evaline Saitoti is a Kisa Alumna (2014) and began her role as a Binti Shupavu Mentor in 2018. She earned a bachelor’s degree in heritage management from University of Dar es Salaam.
Mama Mishi
“If you want something done well, do it yourself.”
Mishi Malan (in red with her mom, in blue, and her sister) is a Kisa Alumna (2016) and joined GLAMI as its newest Kisa Mentor in 2020. She has a diploma in microfinance from Moshi Cooperative University.
AfricAid works to improve the standing of women in society through robust, locally-led mentorship initiatives that cultivate confidence, improve academic and health outcomes, and promote socially-responsible leadership skills. In close partnership with our sister organization, GLAMI (Girls Livelihood and Mentorship Initiative), we support mentorship opportunities that help secondary school girls in Tanzania complete their education, develop into confident leaders, and transform their own lives and their communities.
