Girls Livelihood and Mentorship Initiative (GLAMI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting adolescent girls aged in Tanzania. GLAMI aims to provide educational opportunities alongside life skills development, creating empowered changemakers among young girls. The organization pairs girls with university-educated women mentors who meet weekly to deliver a curriculum designed to build resilience, confidence, and leadership. Additionally, GLAMI works closely with teachers, school leaders, and parents to foster supportive environments that challenge harmful gender norms and encourage girls’ success.
In Tanzania, only 39 percent of girls attend secondary school, and just 3 percent reach tertiary education. Poverty, early marriage, and early pregnancy are major factors contributing to dropout rates, alongside financial and cultural challenges. Without access to education, many girls face limited opportunities and increased vulnerability. Educated girls are more likely to delay marriage and pregnancy, experience less violence, and contribute to improved health and economic outcomes for their communities—but these benefits remain out of reach for many Tanzanian girls.
With support from the Girls Opportunity Alliance Fund, GLAMI’s will expand its flagship program, Binti Shupavu (“courageous daughters” in Kiswahili). The program empowers girls by providing weekly mentorship classes to enable them to complete secondary school. The holistic program includes social support, parental engagement, emergency funding, and a strong alumnae network. In turn, girls gain essential life skills and accurate information to navigate challenges that may prevent them from completing their education.
GLAMI currently partners with 50 schools across three regions, directly serving nearly 10,000 scholars and benefiting more than 23,000 girls since inception. The organization plans to expand to seven new schools in Morogoro this year for a total of 57 partner schools, directly reaching 2,623 new Binti Shupavu scholars. By investing in mentorship and education, GLAMI is helping girls rewrite their stories and build a more equitable future.
To learn more about GLAMI, please visit the organization’s website and social media pages:
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