Izonzi Kolaki Ta! (Keep Girls in School!)

"With the invaluable support of ATF, we have cultivated a healing community where trauma is acknowledged, voices are uplifted, and hope is restored."- Program Officer

Between January and April 2025, the Izonzi Kolaki Ta project supported 86 girls and young women through psychosocial support, peer-led empowerment, and community healing initiatives. Designed as a safe space for teenage mothers, adolescent girls, and previously marginalised women, the project has not only enhanced mental well-being but also catalysed lasting social and economic change.

Programme Activities

• Weekly empowerment sessions based on a UNICEF-aligned curriculum
• Peer-to-peer mentorship and group counselling
• Skills development workshops (including reproductive health education and basic entrepreneurship)
• Community engagement sessions involving parents and local leaders
• Life skills training, covering topics such as goal setting, communication, and self-esteem building

Achievements

• 85 young women and girls have completed the full empowerment curriculum
• Several participants have returned to school or enrolled in vocational training
• Teenage mothers report increased self-confidence and improved capacity to care for their children
• Positive shifts in community attitudes towards teenage mothers have been observed

 Testimonials

G.A., (Age 25)

"Before Kolakita, I felt like I had lost everything. I had dropped out of university due to financial difficulties. The sessions helped me rediscover my voice and realise that success isn’t only found in a classroom—it’s also in having the heart to drive change in the community and support other young girls like me. Thank you to the mentors who never gave up on us."

C.W. (Age 17) – From Silenced Mother to Public Speaker

"I didn’t know I had value. This space showed me I do."- Chandiru

After fleeing a forced marriage driven by dowry demands, Winfred—still a teenager—became a young mother. She had never spoken in public before. But in February, during a storytelling circle, she found her voice. Today, she leads a peer group of young girls in Pamonti Village, where they learn hair braiding and build self-respect. 

• Success Stories January - April 2025 (PDF)