By Rose Ngaa | Communications & Marketing Officer
Every once in a while, you hear a story that reminds you just how powerful mentorship can be through our ongoing Live interview series of Alumnae Spotlight on Daring Girls’ Instagram page.
Listening to Gladness Ndahani share her transformative journey through Kisa program, did exactly that!
Gladness’s story shows how mentorship can ignite profound personal transformation—turning a shy, uncertain girl into a confident leader, entrepreneur, and changemaker. It proves that when a girl is believed in, guided, and supported, she not only rises herself but lifts others with her.
But when she described her younger self before joining mentorship, the contrast was striking:
“You would have met a very shy girl… afraid to try anything new… very tiny in everything.”
So what happened between “tiny in everything” and the bold, articulate young woman telling us her story?
Gladness joined the GLAMI Kisa Program in 2019 when she was in Form 5—simply because someone encouraged her.
“This is a good place for you,” a Kisa scholar ahead of her class told her.
That scholar was one of the strongest student leaders at school, and seeing her confidence inspired Gladness to give Kisa program a try. She did not know what mentorship really was, and she was not sure she had time for anything outside academics.
But she walked into the classroom anyway, and found something that immediately shifted her world.
“My favorite moments were when we sat with our mentor… hearing her stories… feeling warm… feeling like I had someone to share my burdens with.”
Sometimes empowerment does not begin with a lesson. It starts with a person you can relate with — someone who listens, cares, and believes in you.
As she spoke about the Kisa curriculum, it was clear how deeply it shaped her:
“To be honest and sincere, all units meant a lot to me. After every lesson we had practical assignments. Through them, I practiced everything in real life. I found myself transforming from who I was to who I am now.”
One of the assignments that changed her life was writing a letter to her future self — a time capsule goals exercise that girls revisit after graduation.
“When I read my letter later, I said, ‘Wow… everything is achieved.’”
She still keeps that letter and rereads it when she needs grounding.
The transformation was not only academic or aspirational — it was personal, deep, and emotional.
Before mentorship:
“I had no friends, I held everything in my heart. I thought everyone was wrong and I didn’t know how to control my anger.”
After mentorship:
“I learned how to develop relationships, make friends, and manage my anger issues.”
Gladness pursued one of Tanzania’s most demanding science combinations in advance: physics, geography, and mathematics. And after graduation she was not sure if she wanted to continue her career in the science field.
“Things were very difficult… I almost gave up.”
Then came a phone call from her mentor during the long Form 6 break. A simple check-in. A reminder that she was capable. That call shifted everything.
“My mentor told me: If you want to be a leader, go be a leader. If you want to make a difference, go and do it. And I did.”
Gladness held on to that belief and pushed forward.
Today, she has completed her Bachelor Degree of Technology in Architecture — thriving in a field where women are still heavily underrepresented.
Gladness admitted she regrets not taking on leadership roles in secondary school — mainly because she did not believe she could.
But mentorship changed the way she saw herself.
“After Kisa training, I realized I had leadership qualities. I went to university prepared to become a leader no matter what it takes.”
She kept her promise.
Even though her course was intense and time-consuming, she still pursued leadership — inspiring many who thought it was not possible.
“Architecture takes a lot of time, so most students do not want leadership. But when they saw me take it on, I started motivating people, and they followed.”
She began as a class representative in 2021. Then bigger roles came:
She did not win. And it hurt.
“It was painful. But I am still proud of myself. I did something I never imagined I would.”
What helped her recover were the Kisa lessons on emotional intelligence.
“We were taught what to do when things don’t go your way. I put everything into that election. I lost. So I sat down to analyze how to come back. That came from mentorship.”
Losing the election left her not only emotionally hurt — but financially drained.
“I had debts from family and friends. After paying them, I was very down financially. I had to start fresh.”
So she rolled up her sleeves — literally. Every morning, she woke up at 3 a.m., cooked chapati and went out to sell them to her peers. It was exhausting, her peers looked down on her, but it taught her resilience, discipline, and financial skills.
Her consistency paid off.
Today, Gladness owns a small coffee shop in Mbeya called GeeSeven11, a warm spot in one of Tanzania’s coldest regions. It has grown into a small hub for young women entrepreneurs.
“Some ladies bring their products. I sell them, calculate their share, and take mine. It’s how I empower their businesses too.”
It is leadership — just expressed through business.
Gladness’s philosophy is simple: Give what you were given.
Kisa taught her the power of sharing knowledge — and she has made that her mission.
She gives back by:
1. Public Speaking
“I speak on things that can help people. I use my voice for those who can’t express themselves.”
2. Mentoring girls and young people
She guides others the way she was guided.
3. Founding youth organizations
She founded Youth Potential Network (YPN) — a platform for youth to develop skills, lead, and contribute to their communities. They run school visits, trainings, and empowerment projects.
She also co-founded Generation of Thrones, a university-based group supporting female students through conversations on mental health, relationships, finances, and leadership.
Her heart for giving back is deeply rooted in what she received:
“All this came from Kisa. They came to us with open hearts. They empowered us. So now I ask myself — how can people benefit from what I’m doing?”
When asked to summarize what GLAMI’s mentorship meant to her, Gladness took a long breath and said something unforgettable:
“GLAMI came into my life as the light into a dark soul.”
“I was not seeing… and GLAMI became the light that showed me the way. I still live by the principles they planted in me.”
She remains active in the GLAMI alumnae network, where they share job tips, support each other, and continue learning.
And when asked what she’d say to her mentor, she smiled:
“I love her. The seed she planted is bearing fruit. She is one of the women the universe needs to know.”
What makes Gladness’s story remarkable is not just her achievements. It is the way she carries her past with gratitude, her present with confidence, and her future with hope.
From a shy girl afraid to speak to a young woman thriving in STEM, running a business, training youth, and inspiring other girls in her community.
Her journey is living proof of what happens when a girl is given space, guidance, and the belief that she can grow.
And as someone who enjoys stories of resilience, leadership, and transformation, this one stays with you. It lingers long after the interview ends — a reminder that mentorship does not just change a girl’s school experience.
It changes her entire life trajectory.
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