Until recently, Neema wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her future. But now, she’s discovered her passion and what she excels at thanks to youth mentorship from SOS Children’s Villages…
Neema, 18 years old, enjoys having a tidy and well-organised home. As the eldest of her SOS siblings, she’s used to taking responsibility for their shared living space and finds cleaning gives her energy.
Neema grew up at SOS Children’s Villages in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and recently completed the equivalent of Year 9/10 in the UK education system. For some time, she was unsure what career path to take. She wasn’t interested in an academic route, preferring something more hands-on.
Finding a path to the future: how youth mentorship helped her find her way
So, when Catherine Charles, the youth coordinator at SOS Children’s Villages, encouraged her to study something she was good at and enjoyed, it sparked new possibilities for Neema.
“I began looking at different courses, and Catherine helped me to find the motivation and not give up,” Neema explains.
Then, when Neema discovered she could train to become an interior decorator at a vocational school, it felt like the perfect fit.
“I know I can make a room look good,” she says.
Taking steps towards her dream
In September 2024, Neema started her interior decorating course and is learning how to create beautiful decorations for events such as weddings and corporate functions.
In Tanzania, it’s common to hire a private company to decorate venues or outdoor spaces for celebrations. As the country’s economy grows and more people join the middle class, there’s an increasing demand for event companies. Good news for Neema!
Now, Neema hopes she’ll one day run her own business, a business she’ll call ‘Neema’s Decorations’.
“I dream of becoming self-employed. Just a small business with a few employees,” she says.
For now, Neema’s focused on completing the first six months of her vocational training, before seeking an internship later this year (2025).
The idea of entering the job market no longer intimidates her and she knows she’s not alone on her journey.
Never walk alone
“I know I can always seek advice from Catherine,” she says.
Neema believes that many young people would benefit from having a mentor like Catherine.
“The challenge for young people in Tanzania is that they want a life they can’t afford. And this means some might end up in crime to achieve a certain lifestyle. They ruin their lives.
“The solution is to find someone to talk to and who can help you make a good plan.”
