By Monica Patrick Founder & Executive Director 

I come from a rural community in Simiyu, Tanzania—a place where girls are expected to stay quiet, give up their dreams, and conform to traditions that often work against them. Many of my peers dropped out of school due to early pregnancies, poverty, or forced marriages. Their potential was dismissed before it ever had the chance to grow.

But I was lucky. I was raised by a father who believed in education and the power of girls. That belief became the foundation of my purpose: to build a movement where girls are seen, heard, and supported.

In 2022, I founded Women and Youth Movement (Woyomo)—a feminist grassroots organization working to create safe spaces and opportunities for girls and young women to thrive. Through this platform, I’ve led programs that promote education, leadership, mental health, and economic empowerment.

One of our key initiatives is Girls Buzz, a platform that connects girls through leadership training, peer mentorship, and advocacy. So far, we’ve reached over 100 girls, helping them build confidence, find their voices, and take action in their communities. We’ve also created a growing online network where girls can access information, support one another, and share opportunities.

Another program I led is Health Spark, which focuses on menstrual health and hygiene education. In five schools across Simiyu, we provided sanitary kits and conducted school outreach sessions that helped girls understand their bodies, reduce school absenteeism, and build self-esteem. These conversations, often taboo in our communities, are creating real change.

Most recently, I launched Handmade Hope, a social enterprise that trains teenage mothers and unemployed young women in crochet and digital marketing. This project helps girls gain practical skills, earn income, and heal through storytelling. At our exhibitions, these young women showcase their handmade products and share their journeys—transforming stigma into strength.

What fuels my work is the resilience of the girls I serve—girls who were once silenced but are now rising.

I believe that girls need to be supported to shape their future, and education and empowerment are the best tools we can give them.
Peace, to me, is more than the absence of violence. It’s access to justice, opportunity, and dignity. I see peace when a girl walks back into a classroom. I see it when a young mother earns her first income. And I see it when a girl finds the courage to speak her truth.

From one voice in Simiyu to a movement of changemakers, I’ve learned that when we invest in girls, we ignite transformation. I will keep building, leading, and creating space—until every girl has the freedom and power to shape her own story.