by Sr. Berna Nakimuli, MMM                                   Tanzania                  29.04.2026

Sometimes, the people who have the least carry the biggest dreams. On our Anti-Human Trafficking program, we are supporting 15 girls for vocation studies. When we began to select the girls to enroll into the program, we went to those most in need. We met many girls, listened to their stories, and saw many homes. Each one with its own struggles. But somehow, my heart paused when I met Faraha (not her real name).

Faraha lives with her mother who fries and sells cassava. Their home is the kind of place where people pass through the sitting room just to go to their houses behind. As we sat in the sitting room, while her mum was seated on the jerrycan I felt some kind of discomfort in my heart. I wondered how a young girl so beautiful and gentle manages to grow up in such a place where privacy and safety are not guaranteed. That helplessness stayed with me because I cannot take away that risk or change her home.

As we spoke with her mother, something beautiful came out. She told us that Faraha had been saving some money so that she could start a small business of frying and selling sweet potatoes. I paused and I begged her pardon; it sounded as if I had not heard the Kiswahili she said, but I had heard correctly! In my mind I could see her counting the small money she had saved
Planning…. Hoping … Praying…

It is a small dream, but big for her. Faraha is quiet, humble and beautiful. There was a light in her eyes when we told them about the opportunity to go to VETA (Vocational Education and Training Authority) and learn hairdressing. She did not pretend, she was simply happy, a real kind of happiness from the heart. Her mother too could not hide her gratitude. She spoke with hope that her daughter would learn something decent, something that could support her, and even help the family. As I looked around, I thought of something we often forget. we sometimes look at hairdressing as “low standard”, as something for those who did not go far in school. But every day, people look after their hair. Women, men and children. And behind that is a person, a skill, a business, a livelihood. Hairdressing is not small. It feeds families, it builds futures. I see many women who started with nothing but with the skill and now are very rich and are living well.
I am glad that people like Faraha are happy to be given this opportunity, she is seeing a future through what she expressed.

And I … I found myself praying, “God, let this chance change her story.” Because sometimes, we cannot change everything. But sometimes, we can open one door full of blessings. And for Faraha and the rest of 14 girls I pray that this door may be the beginning of something bigger than we can see. We also remember those that support our ministries and such initiatives that God may richly bless them. Amen.