Nuru Yetu Foundation shapes tomorrow’s leaders

DAR ES SALAAM: THE school hall at Mbezi Beach High School was filled with eager faces as the Nuru Yetu Foundation brought its Girls Round Table, Msichana na Uongozi programme to the campus.

The session focused on helping female students understand leadership, build confidence, and see possibilities beyond their textbooks.

Now in its tenth season, the Girls Round Table gives young women space to talk about their role in shaping their communities and using their voices for change.

The day’s discussions covered leadership, entrepreneurship, and health, along with practical ways to identify and use opportunities for personal growth and income generation.

“We want these girls to understand what leadership means and their role in society,” said Foundation Director, Zaudjia Mohamed.

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She added, “Every girl has the ability to inspire and contribute to her community. Our aim is to help them discover their talents beyond academics so they can achieve their dreams and make a difference.” Ms Mohamed said that the sessions also address challenges that can hold girls back, encouraging self-awareness, resilience, and moral strength.

“We have seen that girls are still underrepresented in leadership across many fields. By reaching them early, we can help them recognise the opportunities that await after school,” she said.

Although the programme has mainly been run in Dar es Salaam, the Foundation plans to expand to rural and remote schools.

“We want more students to gain this knowledge, to dream safely, and to shape those dreams into something real,” Ms Mohamed said.

One student spoke of how the training had opened her eyes to new possibilities.

“I have learned that leadership is not just about being appointed to a position. It’s about setting a good example, showing love, and working hard. Today has given me the confidence to believe I can achieve my dreams, even when there are challenges,” she said.

NURU Yetu Foundation Director, Zaudjia Mohamed in a photo with some of the students who attended the session.

She added that the lessons on health, safety, and self-reliance were especially valuable, it is not only for school life but also for starting businesses and being able to support myself in the future. Programme Coordinator Martina Gaudence, herself a past participant, shared that the Foundation plans to reach more than 30 schools across the country.

“We want to ensure that girls everywhere have the chance to grow their skills, build confidence, and see their own potential,” she said For the girls at Mbezi Beach High School, the day ended not just with new knowledge but with a sense that their voices matter and that leadership starts now.