Living Better Today aims to support young mothers from disadvantaged backgrounds with skills of vocational training. Fifteen young women and girls will enroll to a one-year intensive training on garment making and designing and be supported to establish fashion business of ready-made garment cloths. Forty young women and girls will be supported with training on small business start-up while also supported to establish or strengthen their business with an opportunity to accessing six months business mentorship. Lastly, 3,200 young women will be trained on sexual reproductive health rights including family planning and violence prevention through the Process Oriented Approach or POA and self-defence approach. Self-defence gives women and girls power to choose how to respond to violence, without judgment or victim blaming. It empowers them to be in command of their minds, body, and spirit. It teaches them how to allow and to live their lives boldly and freely without fear. Hakizetu is planning to conduct those activities in order to give young women and girls an economic freedom and support them to engage direct in decision making especially on issues that affect their lives directly.

Our mission at Hakizetu is deeply rooted in our histories, stories, or the stories of our beloved ones like mothers, sisters, siblings, and even our personal journeys. These narratives have shaped our understanding and commitment to address the struggles that women and girls face daily in our communities.

In many communities where we are working, women and girls are trapped in cycles of gender-based violence and discrimination. They remain in these harmful environments not because they want to, but because economic dependence forces them to endure the suffering. The fear for their children’s future, the well-being of their families, and the pressure of societal expectations keep them silent and submissive.

Our vision for this specific project titled “Living Better Today” was born from these harsh realities. We imagined a world where young women and girls could break free from the chains of economic dependence. We dreamed of empowering them to make choices driven by their desires and needs, not by financial limitations or family influences.

To bring this vision to life, we designed a comprehensive project focused on providing sustainable skills. These skills would enable women and girls, especially those most vulnerable, to become productive, be employed, start their own enterprises, and employ their peers. We predicte a ripple effect, where one empowered woman would inspire and uplift two others in her community within three years since graduation, and the return on every $1 we invest should be $7 within the first three  .

But we didn’t want to stop at economic empowerment. We knew that true freedom comes from breaking the silence surrounding violence and discrimination. We sought to foster a culture of openness, where women and girls feel safe to speak out and report violations. By doing so, we hoped to create a supportive community where everyone stands together against injustice. While also creating a sense of self-worth and resilience, helping them realize their potential and encouraging them to become advocates for change within their own communities. Empowering women and girls to shape their destinies and lead lives filled with dignity and freedom.

Bringing our project to life was a journey filled with determination, collaboration, and resilience. We began by engaging with the groups, understanding their needs, and co-creating an intervention that would provide the most impact and respond to their needs. We did a co-designing segment, which gives rights-holders a sense of project ownership. Our strategy involved a multi-faceted approach, including community engagement to raise awareness about the project and its benefits, skill development through training sessions to equip women with sustainable skills in various trades, establishing supportive systems including mentorship and peer support groups, and partnering with local businesses and organizations to facilitate job placements and support self-employment initiatives. It also engaged community-based sessions, which focused on breaking silence and equipping community members with skills and commitment that would enable them to be changemakers and part of the solution.

Throughout the implementation phase, we faced several challenges. One significant challenge was transforming the mindset of many beneficiaries who had experienced significant humiliation and were skeptical about the project’s potential. Convincing them that positive change was possible required persistent effort and patience. Also, we think the hardest part of project implementation is to say goodbye to the community where the project has been implemented. Yes, we know we had a sustainability plan, but even the implementation of the plan requires resources. If you don’t have the resources, saying goodbye is inevitable. The success of our initial interventions led to high expectations from the community. While we wished to continue our efforts indefinitely, resource limitations meant we had to manage these expectations carefully.

Impact and Transformation: The Heart of Our Project

The impact and transformation brought about by our project are its most significant aspects. The tangible and intangible results we’ve observed speak volumes about the effectiveness and transformative power of our initiatives. Here are some of the compelling stories that highlight the positive changes in the lives of the rights-holder group.

Merine’s Journey to Empowerment

Merine’s story exemplifies the transformative power of our project. When Merine joined the project, she was jobless and had recently quit her job as a domestic worker due to abuse. Initially doubtful about the program’s promise of free training and support, she soon realized its potential. After completing the training at the Hakizetu center, Merine received assistance to establish her garment-making enterprise. Today, she has become a change agent, she employs two other garment makers, and is a vocal gender activist.

Belinda’s Success in the Textile Industry

Belinda’s story further illustrates the positive impact of our project. Before joining our program, Belinda was struggling to find stable employment. Through our training, she acquired valuable skills in textile production. We connected her with a local textile industry, where she is now employed. Belinda’s stable job not only provides for her family but also gives her a sense of purpose and independence. Her success demonstrates how our project helps women secure meaningful employment and break the cycle of economic dependence.

Women Entrepreneurs Flourish

Beyond individual success stories, our project has empowered groups of women with entrepreneurial skills. One group of women received training in entrepreneurship and small enterprise management. We supported them in linking up with financial institutions to secure funding for their ventures. These women have since established and strengthened their businesses, ranging from small retail shops to service enterprises. For the first time, we were able to support a women and girls group to establish a bakery, it is called Sister’s Bakery. Their success is evident in the thriving businesses they now run, which provide for their families and contribute to the local and national economy. This collective transformation underscores the ripple effect of our project, spreading positive change throughout the community.

Each story of success, every smile of accomplishment, and every tear of joy from our beneficiaries is a testament to the transformative power of this project. These women have not just learned skills; they have discovered their potential, broken their silence, and embraced their power.

A Culture of Openness and Support

The intangible results of our project are equally significant. We have cultivated a culture of openness, encouraging women to break their silence and report violations. This cultural shift has fostered a supportive environment where women feel safe to share their experiences and support each other. The mutual support within the community has not only helped women heal from past traumas but also empowered them to stand up against gender-based violence and

In essence, this project is more than just an initiative—it is a lifeline. It is the story of young women and girls like Merine and Belinda, who turned their lives around against all odds. It is the collective heartbeat of a community that has risen from despair to hope, from silence to voice, and from dependence to empowerment.

Every step of this journey has been deeply touching, profoundly moving, and incredibly rewarding. The words that best capture my feelings are a deep sense of fulfilment and a renewed commitment to continue this vital work. This project has shown us that change is possible, that hope can be rekindled, and that together, we can transform lives in the most profound ways.

Lessons Learned: The Heartbeat of Our Journey

In every journey, the lessons learned often shape the future path. Our project was no different. The challenges and obstacles we faced were many, but they also served as stepping-stones that guided us toward growth and success. Here are the stories that reflect our journey, the strategies we employed to overcome challenges, and the invaluable lessons we learned.

Overcoming Skepticism – we first introduced our program, we encountered significant skepticism. Many targeted beneficiaries, like Merine, found it hard to believe that an organization would offer free training, support, and other services without expecting anything in return. This disbelief stemmed from a lifetime of broken promises and exploitation. To overcome this, we adopted a grassroots approach. We engaged community leaders and held informational sessions where past beneficiaries shared their success stories. By building trust through transparency and personal testimonials, we gradually dispelled doubts and fostered a sense of trust and hope within the community.

Transforming Mindsets: Empowering Through Education – One of our deepest challenges was transforming the mindsets of our beneficiaries. Many girls and young women we worked with had internalized their suffering and believed that their situations could not change. We realized that before we could impart skills, we needed to empower them mentally. Our strategy involved incorporating motivational sessions and peer support groups into our training program. Women shared their stories, supported each other, and built a collective resilience. In partnership with like-minded organizations, we also facilitated trauma recovery and stress management sessions led by a psychologist. This approach not only empowered the women but also created a strong network of support that extended beyond our program.

Managing High Expectations: Aspiration Versus Reality – As our project gained momentum, managing the high expectations of our beneficiaries became a challenge. Many young women and girls hoped for immediate and continuous support, which was not always feasible. We addressed this by setting clear expectations from the outset and emphasizing the sustainability of the skills being taught. We also established follow-up programs where beneficiaries could seek advice and support even after the initial training period. This helped manage their aspirations and ensured they understood the long-term vision of self-sufficiency and empowerment.

Bridging the Financial Gap: From Training to Entrepreneurship – Another significant challenge was linking our trained beneficiaries to financial support. Many young women and girls, despite having the skills, lacked the capital to start their enterprises. To bridge this gap, we partnered with local financial institutions and microfinance organizations. We facilitated workshops where women learned about financial management and how to approach these institutions for support. By acting as a bridge, we ensured that our beneficiaries could transition from training to entrepreneurship smoothly.

When asked about what Hakizetu has learnt, we can confidently say that every program comes with unique lessons that we’ve used to improve our operations and continue impacting thousands of lives in Tanzania. We are continuously learning, adapting, and innovating. This journey taught us the importance of flexibility. We realized that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work in diverse communities. Regular feedback sessions with beneficiaries helped us refine our methods and tailor our project to better meet their needs. For instance, we introduced mobile training units to reach women in remote areas who could not travel to our centers. This innovation significantly increased our reach and impact.

Collaborative Efforts: Strength in Unity
Collaboration was another key lesson. Engaging rights-holders throughout the process not only enriched our program but also ensured its relevance and effectiveness. We worked closely with like-minded local and international organizations, community leaders, and the beneficiaries themselves. This collaborative effort created a sense of ownership and collective responsibility, which was crucial for the project’s success. Additionally, we added value through the partnerships we initiated during the process.

Reflecting on our journey, we identified areas where additional support and guidance would be beneficial. Continued mentorship programs for graduates, more robust financial linkage systems, and enhanced mental health support are areas we aim to develop further. Support from development partners in these areas would greatly enhance our capacity to sustain and scale our impact.

Through these experiences, we learned that the heart of our project lies in the resilience and potential of the young women and girls we serve. Every challenge faced was a lesson learned, and every strategy employed was a step toward a more empowered and self-sufficient community. As we move forward, these lessons will guide us in refining our approach, deepening our impact, and continuing our journey of transformation.