Today, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, I take this moment to honor my friend Amina Mkima, whom I met in early 2019 through a connection from my friend Rosemary Nazar. Rosemary, who worked with Amina through the PSI A360 project in Tanzania, told me, “If you’re looking to work with a passionate community leader committed to change, you must meet Amina.” Taking her advice, I visited Mbagala Kizuiani, where I met Amina and her family. I found her already mobilizing a group of 25 young mothers, all of whom had dropped out of school due to teenage pregnancy. Tragically, most of these young mothers came from low-income backgrounds and had to engage in commercial sex work to survive and support their families. Their children, born into vulnerability, faced poor motherhood skills, malnutrition, and the risk of falling into the same cycle of poverty.
Celebrating Amina Mkima, AKA Mama Wawili!!
Despite the stigma she and her peers faced, Amina chose to rise above it. She founded this group to support the livelihoods of young mothers in Kizuiani, Tanzania. When I met Amina, we collaborated on a proposal to World Connect, securing a $5,000 grant that funded scholarships for young mothers to pursue vocational training. Some learned to bake, others became makeup artists, caterers, or hairstylists. Out of the 25, five received small seed grants to start their own businesses. Amina has become a beacon of hope for young mothers in Dar es Salaam, and since our initial meeting, she and I have remained best friends and workmates. In early 2023, we worked together to host a delegation from the European Parliamentary Forum (EPF), who, alongside Tanzanian parliamentarians, visited the young mothers’ group in Mbagala. The passion and resilience of Amina and her colleagues deeply inspired everyone.
International Women Day 2025! Celebrating Amina Mkima A.K.A Mama Wawili.
On a positive note, in 2025, Amina and other three groups of young mothers are receiving another grant of about $20,000 from We Are Purposeful, an initiative that will strengthen their work and formalize their organization as a force for championing the livelihoods of young mothers. As we celebrate International Women’s Day under the theme "For All Women and Girls: Rights.Equality. Empowerment." There is no doubt that leaders like Amina and her peers are powerful catalysts for change in their communities.
For those interested in partnering with this incredible group of young mothers, do not hesitate to contact info@youngandalive.org, and we will facilitate that connection. #IWD2025 #Youngaandalive #Youngmothers.
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