Changed Lives: Sada
"Now, I can support my daughter, my grandmother, and my siblings ... Golden opportunities like this don't come twice."
Pregnant at 16, Sada dropped out of school and was forced to leave home. Now 21, she is a single mother living in an informal settlement in Ilemela, Tanzania.
“Taking care of my child was very hard. The man who got me pregnant didn’t help, and my grandmother - who took us in - was too old to support us. I started selling groundnuts by the roadside to make some money. I felt so hopeless.”
Poverty levels in Ilemela are high, with many relying on small businesses or casual labour. Gender-based violence (GBV), HIV, and economic insecurity are deeply connected—61% of women in Mwanza have experienced GBV, and women and girls account for 80% of new HIV infections. Teenage pregnancies force many to leave school trapping young women into poverty just as they start needing to provide for their new families.
Egmont Partner Hakizetu is working to change this, by providing young women with skills, mentorship, and economic independence reducing their vulnerability to sexual violence and infection. “The girls we work with have huge potential—they are willing to work hard but lack skills, capital, and guidance,” says Executive Director Gervas.
Hakizetu joined Egmont’s portfolio in 2023 with a one-year Innovation Grant, targeting three Mwanza districts where HIV rates are high (8.5% of 15-49 year olds). The project provides vocational training, business skills, and sexual health education for vulnerable young women, including survivors of GBV, school drop-outs, and those living with HIV.
In 2024, 21 women trained in tailoring, learning diverse skills such as shoemaking to help them build sustainable incomes. For Sada, the opportunity has been life changing:
“I now design and sew dresses, earning far more than I did selling groundnuts. Before, I made 2,500TZS (£0.83/$1.01) a day — now I charge 26,000TZS (£8.59/$10.55) per dress.”
Hakizetu places trainees in two-month apprenticeships to gain experience and mentorship. Sada is interning at a garment shop and has already secured a job offer after graduation:
“My salary will start at $96-$135 a month. Within two years, I could earn $385 a month, or more. I want to start my own business, but first, I need to gain experience and save.”
Hakizetu’s impact extends beyond individuals, creating ripple effects across families and communities:
“If I hadn’t trained with Hakizetu, I’d still be unskilled and struggling. I’d remain dependent on others—especially men—making me more vulnerable to violence. Now, I can support my daughter, my grandmother, and my siblings. When I start my own business, I want to train other girls from Hakizetu. Golden opportunities like this don’t come twice.”
Hakizetu is proving that investing in young women has the potential to transform not just their lives, but entire communities.
Photo credit: Hakizetu