There is a saying that goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This is often credited as an African proverb, sometimes from Kenya, sometimes from Botswana. It is really unknown where it comes from. However, there is no doubt that throughout AfricAid, enduring friendships are being made.
It is heartwarming to hear how the Scholars, Alumnae, and Mentors of our Kisa Project and Binti Shupavu programs have supported each other the way good friends do.
Classmates Become Friends
One Kisa Scholar was outgoing, and one was very shy. In a competitive environment, these two girls would not really interact, at least not in a positive way. But, in the supportive environment of the Kisa classroom, it is a regular occurrence. Mentor Ellie Kaaya shares one story of how two girls respected each other and the result is good feeling all around.
Friends Tackle Job Scarcity Together
Unemployment among young people in Tanzania exceeds 50%. Even university graduates have a challenging time finding productive work. For this reason, AfricAid’s programs teach resilience, identifying community problems and how to solve them, and entrepreneurship. Here’s how two Kisa Alumnae used what they learned in order to make money doing what they love to do!
Professional Feedback from Friends
Stepping into a classroom as a Mentor can be intimidating at first, even if you were a Kisa Scholar yourself. Through Peer Mentoring and other types of training, new hires know that they are not alone. A new Mentor is paired with a more experienced colleague and it is mutually beneficial – they learn to effectively give and receive feedback. At AfricAid, we value learning from each other.
University Friends Become Mentors
Violeth had been a Kisa Scholar in high school. Siberaster is a natural leader, but the program was not available in the part of Tanzania where she went to high school. Siberaster learned all about AfricAid and Kisa when she became friends with Violeth at college. The rest is history… Violeth became a Kisa Mentor and Siberaster supports girls everyday as a Mentor with the Binti Shupavu program.
A Friendship that Started it All
In 2003, AfricAid Founder, Ashley Shuyler Carter, met Prisca who was the first in her village to attend secondary school through an AfricAid scholarship. Now, half a lifetime later, Prisca is a teacher, Ashley also works in the education field. Both are mothers and role models in their communities. The two women maintain their long-distance friendship and even co-authored a children’s book together.
AfricAid mentors secondary school girls in Tanzania to complete their education, develop into confident leaders, and transform their own lives and their communities. We equip girls to overcome challenges and reach their full potential because educated girls create lasting positive change. The outcome is proactive, resilient, and socially-responsible girls who secure better jobs, raise healthier families and increase the standing of women in society.
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