Girls rebuild dreams through skills
MKURANGA: WHEN Zainab Mnyoge left school, she feared her dreams had ended. Today, the 20-year-old is learning skills she hopes will help her build a business, earn an income and inspire other young women facing similar challenges.
Zainab is among 20 girls aged between 15 and 25 participating in the Taa ya Binti project at Eco-Village in Kisimvule, Mkuranga District, Coast Region. Implemented in partnership with the Human Development and Care Foundation (HUDEFO), the three-month programme equips school dropouts and vulnerable girls with practical skills for self-reliance.
“I have received this project enthusiastically and I am happy about the opportunity they have given us as girls, enabling us to acquire skills to improve our economic situation,” Ms Zainab says.
She believes many girls struggle because they lack guidance, practical training and access to capital needed to start income-generating activities.
Beyond entrepreneurship, participants learn life skills, financial literacy, sustainable agriculture and handicrafts.
They are trained to make products such as beaded accessories, candles, lip balm and decorative items from recyclable materials while also learning waste recycling and compost production.
Eco-Village Social Welfare Officer, Ms Karen Rutakangwa says the programme focuses on helping girls rebuild confidence alongside practical skills.
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“We expect to see a girl who has greater self-awareness, who can deal with her environment well, who knows how to practise sustainable agriculture and who can engage in handicraft activities that can provide her with an income,” she says.
She says interviews conducted before the programme revealed that some participants left school because of unsafe environments rather than a lack of ambition.
Another key component is financial literacy, which teaches participants how to manage money, prepare budgets and identify safe ways of growing their income.
HUDEFO Project Coordinator, Mr Abdi Khalifa says the initiative also introduces girls to green economy opportunities through waste recycling and environmental management.
“If they take advantage of this opportunity, it will help them create green jobs that contribute to addressing solid waste management and climate change while generating income,” he says.
Project Officer, Ms Tunu Kalanje says participants also learn to turn plastic, textile and organic waste into products and compost that can support small businesses and sustainable farming.
The programme reflects broader efforts to expand opportunities for girls who leave school. According to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, about 22,844 girls had returned to the education system by March 2024 following the 2021 school re-entry policy.
The ministry also reported that around 10,300 girls resumed their studies in 2025 after giving birth, offering renewed hope that education and empowerment can continue even after life’s setbacks.
