November 28, 2024
The Women Leading Change (WLC) program empowers women in East Africa to overcome systemic and personal barriers, unlocking their potential to drive change. Created by the Sasamani Foundation and supported by Amani Institute as an implementation partner, this practical, experiential program provides the tools and skills women need to build confidence, navigate challenges, and step into leadership roles.
Addressing a Regional Challenge
Launched in 2018, the Women Leading Change program was born from a clear need: to bridge the gap between women’s potential and their active leadership. Many capable women across East Africa hesitated to embrace leadership roles due to fear of failure, cultural pressures, or a lack of confidence. WLC’s structure—five days of immersive classroom learning followed by four months of personalized coaching—was designed to close this gap through self-awareness, skills-building, and actionable transformation.
Sasamani sought a program that was practical, hands-on, and impactful—moving away from traditional lecture-based methods in favor of engaging, results-driven learning. This aligned perfectly with Amani Institute’s approach to adult education, which emphasizes experiential approaches proven to maximize retention and application. When Amani Institute joined the program as a facilitation partner in 2021, this was a sweet spot for both organizations in deepening WLC’s outcomes.
Women like Neema Harold and Lydia Akunja are a testament to the program’s success, with their experiences highlighting the transformative impact WLC has on participants.
Lydia’s Journey: Learning to Say No
Lydia Akunja’s story highlights how WLC empowers women to address self-imposed constraints. As someone who always said “yes” to every task, Lydia often found herself overwhelmed and struggling to balance her commitments.
Through WLC, Lydia learned to set boundaries and prioritize her well-being. She reflected:
“Now, when I take up tasks, I do so when I am well-rested, which makes me more useful to the team. I no longer feel guilty about saying no.”
The skills gained and newfound confidence enabled Lydia to champion WLC’s introduction at Moi University in Eldoret, Kenya in 2023. Despite institutional challenges, she successfully convinced senior officials of the program’s value, earning her credibility and trust within her organization. This was also a major milestone for the Sasamani Foundation.
Neema’s Journey: Finding the Courage to Say Yes
In contrast, Neema Harold grappled with the fear of saying “yes.” Despite her evident skills, she hesitated to embrace leadership opportunities, fearing she wasn’t adequately prepared. As the program’s initial coordinator, she often deferred to others, reluctant to take on new assignments.
Through WLC’s facilitation and coaching, Neema gained the confidence to lead. She shared:
“After attending WLC, I realized it’s okay to not know everything. I gained confidence and began taking on leadership roles I would have previously turned down.”
Today, Neema serves as the Sasamani Foundation Country Director. She credits WLC for her transformation, noting that without the program’s support, she would have never taken on her current role.
Growth Beyond the Training Program
A recent survey revealed that 80% of alumni reported improved leadership skills, and 60% felt confident enough to pursue new opportunities. Many participants, like Lydia and Neema, have taken on larger responsibilities within their organizations. Some have also supported Sasamani Foundation’s education sponsorship program beneficiaries, guiding the next generation of leaders.
The program’s alumni network further provides each other with ongoing mentorship, collaborations, and referrals for new opportunities.
Amani Institute’s Role
Since 2021, Amani Institute has partnered with the Sasamani Foundation to facilitate the one-week in person sessions of the Women Leading Change program. Sasamani’s vision of a practical, experiential program aligns seamlessly with Amani’s approach to adult learning, which prioritizes co-designed, engaging content that participants can immediately apply in their lives and work.
Our role was to support, enhance and sustain WLC’s transformative approach. By leveraging our expertise in facilitation and experiential learning, we ensured that each session remained impactful and relevant to the unique challenges faced by East African women leaders. This collaboration underscores Amani Institute’s core value of partnership in empowering individuals and organizations to drive meaningful social change.
A Legacy of Leadership
The Women Leading Change program proves that true empowerment is about more than just teaching skills—it’s about transforming mindsets. Whether it’s Lydia learning to say no or Neema finding the courage to say yes, WLC equips women to overcome personal and systemic barriers.
As the program continues to expand its reach, its mission remains steadfast: to unlock the leadership potential of women across East Africa, inspiring them to lead with confidence, resilience, and purpose.
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If you’re inspired by the transformative impact of the Women Leading Change program and want to explore how we can collaborate to create similar lasting change, we’d love to hear from you! Reach out to us today to start a conversation.
