DAR ES SALAAM: THERE is a quiet revolution happening across ten regions of Tanzania, and it’s fueled by the dreams of young women who refused to let their backgrounds define their futures.
Thanks to the life-changing work of Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) Tanzania, over 83,000 girls from disadvantaged families have stepped out of the shadows of vulnerability and into the spotlight of success. At the recent 2025 Annual General Meeting in Morogoro, the air was thick with inspiration.
Executive Director Anna Sawaki hailed the achievements of these girls as a massive milestone. But for CAMFED, this isn’t a finish line, it’s a launchpad. “We are equipping young women with the tools they need to grow,” Ms Sawaki said.
“From mastering modern agriculture to dreaming of international export markets, our goal is to ensure these entrepreneurs have the systems and confidence to compete on a global stage.” The impact of CAMFED isn’t just a statistic; it’s a sisterhood.
Chairperson of the CAMFED Alumnae Network (CAMA), Shamsa Mkurungo, revealed that the organization’s reach has touched 114,000 children.
“By providing mentorship and guidance, they have even brought school dropouts back into the fold, proving that it’s never too late for a second chance,” she said Money, of course, is a vital part of the equation. CAMFED has issued 511 interest-free loans and provided essential start-up capital.
This isn’t just charity; it’s an investment in the economic engine of our communities. Take Elina Lukindo, for example. Once a girl in need of a helping hand, she is now a Special Councilor in Gairo Ward.
She credits CAMFED with giving her the voice and self-confidence to lead in the political arena. Then there’s the incredible story of Mzizi Mtambwa from Kilosa.
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Through CAMFED’s leadership and economic training, Mzizi transformed a small rice farming venture into a thriving irrigationbased business. His income hasn’t just grown, it has decupled. Today, he’s not just a farmer; he’s a boss, employing local youth and proving that when you empower one woman (or young man in the CAMFED community), you lift an entire village.
The message from the Morogoro meeting was clear, success starts with self-belief. Ms Sawaki’s advice to young women everywhere is to embrace self-confidence and value their own work.
As these 83,000 girls have shown us, with a bit of support and a lot of determination, the glass ceiling isn’t just cracking, it’s being replaced by a wide-open sky.