Anastahili's path to empowerment
A result of skills, entrepreneurship, and endless determination
When Anastahili,16, who lives in Songwe Region of Tanzania, dropped out of school after failing to complete her Form 2 studies in 2022, she felt her dream of becoming an independent woman has come to an end.
She still recalls the fear and uncertainty she felt at the time, "I was scared, unsure of my future, because I saw what happened to other girls like me, some were married off, and their lives changed forever."
Anastahili actively sought out various odd jobs, including working in maize fields, seizing every opportunity that came her way. "I used to earn 4,000 shillings (US$1.60) for half a day's work and 6,000 shillings (US$ 2.40) for a full day's work. However, the work was not always consistent, and there were days when they didn't need field labourers," she remembers. This harsh reality of life sometimes tempted her to consider accepting marriage proposals for financial security.
Anastahili comes from a large family of six and must share her earnings. "I contributed what I could to ensure there was always food on the table and to meet the family's basic needs. With the little money I had left, I would use it to support my small businesses, like buying and selling ripe bananas," she says.
One day, her life took a turn when she and her mother learned about the Integrated Programme for Out-of-School Adolescents (IPOSA) through village announcements. The words ‘free training’ caught their attention, and Anastahili immediately enrolled.
IPOSA is a joint effort between the Government of Tanzania and UNICEF, to improve literacy rates and provide education and skills to out-of-school adolescents (14-19 years) that contributes to UNICEF’s global Adolescent Girls’ Strategy to advance integrated programming that supports adolescent girls to achieve their full potential. Adolescents who missed formal education including adolescent girls who dropped out due to pregnancy have access to literacy, pre-vocational, entrepreneurship, and life skills training. The programme aims to help adolescents become self-employed and financially independent.
"We learned that IPOSA provides a variety of free training programs such as cooking, tailoring, electrical studies, and more. The programme is free, which was a major incentive for me since we didn't have enough money for school."
Anastahili was excited to pursue this new avenue of learning, stating, "I could learn how to cook, sew and earn my own income!" At IPOSA, besides gaining technical skills, the programme also strengthened her entrepreneurial mindset. She realized that she could produce and sell ‘bagias,’ a popular local snack, to students in nearby schools. "I began with 5,000 shillings (US$ 2.00), making 120 bagias and selling them for 100 shillings (US$ 0.04) each, resulting in a profit of 7,000 shillings (US$ 2.80) per batch!” she says with confidence showing in her face.
IPOSA is not only about learning new skills and business, but it also empowered young women like Anastahili. She learned how to feel more confident and protect herself from being forced into child marriage, a common threat for many girls in her community. Anastahili reflects on her situation, stating that if she had been married, she would not have had the chance to learn and earn the small amount of money she is making now.
Anastahili saves her earnings in a ‘kibubu’, or piggy bank, and at the end of every month, she would use the money to support her family and reinvest in her growing bagia business. She explains, “The business helps me meet my personal needs, and now I can buy fabrics to make my own clothes.”
With a steadfast determination, Anastahili dreams of owning her own tailoring business, despite the challenges ahead. A sewing machine, a distant aspiration with its price tag of roughly 400,000 shillings (US$ 160), remains a goal on her horizon. Yet, with a daily income of around 20,000 shillings (US$ 8), she firmly believes she can get there, one step at a time.
Passionate and empowered, Anastahili is determined to share her story and encourage other young people especially adolescent girls facing unemployment to consider enrolling in programmes like IPOSA describing the centre as a “safe space free from threats and temptations”. “Without IPOSA, my life could have taken a dangerous turn, potentially leading to child marriage, teenage pregnancy, or even violence" she stresses.
“I am truly thankful to the IPOSA programme! Through it, I found a second chance, and it's a chance I'll forever cherish and pay forward. It has not only transformed my future but also empowered me to be a beacon of hope for others," Anastahili says joyfully.
