Clementina Mwambene’s Reflections on the Modern Girl Program and Her Journey to the U.S.

Clementina Mwambene, the Head of SEGA’s Modern Girl Community Outreach Program, recently embarked on a journey to the East Coast of the United States. The trip was an opportunity to connect with those supporting SEGA and its mission to empower young girls in Tanzania. Clementina expressed her joy in meeting familiar faces from Zoom calls and new supporters alike, saying, “Meeting people in person… made me understand that there are people behind all that we do, who truly love and care about SEGA and the work we do on the ground.”

Clementina attended several gatherings and events along the East Coast, engaging with audiences eager to hear about SEGA’s work. Reflecting on her interactions, she said, “I definitely felt that I was welcomed…meeting people that care about the work you do and care about you feels like I am a member of the community.” What stood out to her most was the commitment of supporters who have contributed to Nurturing Minds and SEGA’s mission, even if they haven’t yet visited Tanzania. “I was very grateful to meet them and get to know a few of them,” she noted.

The Modern Girl Community Outreach Program: Vision and Impact

At the core of Clementina’s visit was her role as the head of the Modern Girl Program. The program empowers young Tanzanian girls and young women with essential health, life skills, and financial literacy knowledge. “The Modern Girl Program is a peer-to-peer community outreach program that focuses on empowering girls and young women…enabling them to become more self-aware, build their self-confidence, and inspire them to become young, independent leaders in their communities,” Clementina explained. Her goal in the U.S. was to share insights into the program’s recent impact evaluation and future.

Clementina recalled a story of one girl whose life was changed by the program’s teachings on self-value and health: “The program has made changes in my health so far because when I was 10 or 11, I was sexually active, and I knew it was normal for girls at that age to sleep with different partners. After joining the program and learning more about self-value, why it was important for me to protect myself, and why I should not engage in sexual activities at this age, I decided to change my behaviors and stop sleeping with different boys/men like other girls from then on. I am very grateful to the Modern Girl Program because I would have otherwise continued doing that until today, following what other girls in my village do.” Clementina was moved by this story, highlighting how the program’s impact varies for each girl based on their personal experiences and how they engage with it. "This is my most impactful feedback this year," Clementina said. Stories like these affirm the program’s transformative power in shaping the lives of young women.

Growing and Evolving with the Community

Since its inception, the Modern Girl Program has expanded from reaching 100 girls to nearly 2,000 girls each week. This growth has brought new adaptations, including supporting young mothers and incorporating climate change education. The program now also leverages graduates as mentors within their communities, passing on knowledge to future generations. Clementina proudly noted the visible changes in the confidence of program participants: “Especially the ones who also end up becoming our mentors…you see the way they carry themselves and how they handle their challenges nowadays.”

Planning for the Future

The Modern Girl Program intends to deepen its connection with parents and community members and involve boys and men as allies in supporting young women. “When we have more funds, we are thinking of investing in the Modern Girl graduates’ business ventures,” Clementina shared, underscoring the program’s aim to provide sustainable financial empowerment. These steps reflect SEGA’s commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment where girls can become community leaders and advocate for their rights.

The Importance of Investing in Girls

Clementina passionately believes in the value of empowering young women in Africa. “Investing in girls and young women’s empowerment allows them to become more secure. It helps them break the generational poverty cycle in their families,” she emphasized. Through SEGA and Nurturing Minds, Clementina is part of a movement dedicated to providing young women with the skills, knowledge, and support to build brighter futures for themselves and their families.

With continued support from organizations and individuals worldwide, Clementina’s message is clear: “Let’s continue doing our parts in this good fight to ensure that our younger generations grow up in much better conditions.”

To learn more about the Modern Girl program, we invite you to explore the highlights from our Modern Girl Impact Evaluation Highlights. You can also hear directly from Clementina in the Modern Girl Webinar we hosted on October 24th for further insights.