Beating the Gender Shackles in Tanzania. SOPHIA’S STORY
- onelovetanzania
- Mar 11
- 3 min read
So many factors restrict girls from reaching career heights in Tanzania. In fact, from reaching any heights at all. Girls unlucky enough to born into rural areas, remote communities, and tribal villages, even more so...
The impacts of isolation, family expectations, poor communication, and especially cultural practices, we can never expect to understand, hold girls back every day in a country still influenced by the belief, girls have little or no potential beyond the kitchen and the bedroom.
The journey of disappointment, so real for so many. Even powerful girls like Sophia, House Hostess at the Lion King Homestay, graduate of the More Than a Drop Hospitality Training Restaurant in Moshi, confident and determined to forge her way to managerial status.
The second youngest of 7 children born to a hard-working rural farming family on the lower slopes of Mount Meru, Sophia, along with her siblings were expected to “help” on the farm, but homework always came first. Family education a priority, but limited by resources and location.
From the beginning, school was a happy place for Sophia.
A very social human being, Sophia thrived in her tiny school environment, doing well in all study areas. Over these primary years, Sophia was tasked with living with her elderly grandparents, an all too familiar practice in remote areas here, aimed at bringing respectful care to the family elders, but bringing little to a child excited for opportunities life could deliver.
Secondary Schooling meant boarding for Sophia. Unworldly, no exposure to city living, limited social skills, and with a very basic primary education, Sophia Left her close knit family community for Arusha city, heartbroken, and essentially told to “Man Up”………alone, with no family contact until term break!
For girls, it is sink or swim in Tanzania, influenced by a raft of cultural factors where there is no place for empathy or compassion. Girls are so easily beaten by the “system”, every day.
Allowed to turn their back on education, laze at home under the guise of family expectation, encourage a pregnancy, (both the act and the child’s birth bringing validation they are worthy). And, worse, its accepted, because a girl can still cook and clean and, of course, not educating a daughter, leaves money left over for other siblings!
Now 26, Sophia has beaten the odds. Independent, qualified, and working hard to support herself. Honing her skills, continuing to seek more knowledge, keen to grow and learn more.
She remains a proud ambassador of her country, and her culture. But above all, proud to be born female.
Today, I celebrate Sophia, my employee, my wing-man, and most especially, my friend.
A shining light amid her peers and an unassuming role model for girls, not just in Tanzania, but for Girls Everywhere.
Never giving up, gaining respect, and always facing adversity with a smile. A smile which says “Hey girls, we’ve got this!”
Foot Note: Sophia still goes home regularly to do her mother’s washing, by hand, and offers financial assistance now she is working. How superannuation is here……always upheld by girls before boys.
Help Beat the Gender Shackles!
OneLoveTanzania will always be seeking financial assistance to bring meaningful change to the people in Tanzanian. Children in need are everywhere, and needs are manyfold.
From orphaned, family violation or abuse, abandonment, illness, intergenerational poverty, and an education system which fails to bring positive education outcomes.
To choose how you might like to help, please visit….
Donation Vouchers
We've identified 6 core areas of development for Tanzanian kids. Our donation vouchers allow you to choose which core area best fits your passion to help (From as little as $100).
Gift Donation Cards
Give the gift that keeps giving. Our gift donation cards help to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty in Tanzania by improving education outcomes. You choose the value that suits your budget (from $25).
With heartfelt thanks.
Cherie Smirl
March 8th 2025
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