Increasing Girls’ Interest And Proficiency in S.T.E.M
About Us
Adilisha is a not-for-profit organization that believes in empowering women by enabling them to access, use, and create technology. We promote an outlook that questions the existing structures of technology, seeks to educate women on the impact of technology on their lives, and integrates them as equal partners in all decisions related to technology. Adilisha was established in 1999 and rebranded in 2016, with a primary focus on women's empowerment in Mwanza, Lake Zone. Since then, we have expanded our operations in the Lake Zone and are laying the groundwork to start operations in other zones across the country. As this is a challenging task for an NGO to do alone, we hope others will join us in our mission.
Meet Our Chomoza STEM (Innovation) Lab for Girls
Women's participation in STEM fields is lower than men's in most countries, including Tanzania.
Discrimination based on gender, socioeconomic status, and geographic region contribute to the gender gap in science and technology in Tanzania.
To address this issue, the organization has focused on promoting STEM education for girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, challenging biases, and working towards greater inclusivity in the field.
What is Chomoza STEM Lab?
Our Chomoza STEM Lab provides girls with a hands-on learning environment to explore the world of electronics and everyday science. They work with tools, assemble circuits, conduct experiments, and even take things apart to understand how they work. Most importantly, they learn to fearlessly make mistakes.
Who comes to the Lab?
We've enrolled 200 girls aged 8-19 from 2 Mwanza City communities. 93 in Chomoza STEM Level 1 ignite their curiosity with hands-on projects. 107 completed Level 1 and 10 moved to Level 2, where they learn coding, electronics, and problem-solving while collaborating with peers worldwide.
What the Lab does?
We aim to make STEM subjects more accessible and attractive to girls by using fun, alternative tools and models. When the girls use these tools and build things, it boosts their confidence and gives them a sense of satisfaction in their abilities.
Why the Lab?
A study was conducted in five government schools and one private school to investigate why girls from underprivileged backgrounds were not choosing STEM courses, especially science and math.
The study found that girls face various barriers in developing an interest in STEM subjects, including parental pressure to drop out of education or pursue "feminine" streams like arts and home science.
Schools lack adequate infrastructural support and role models in STEM fields, and teachers discourage girls from pursuing these fields.
Household chores and mobility restrictions prevent girls from exploring their potential and contribute to their fear of subjects like science and math.
These factors lead girls to believe that STEM subjects are meant only for boys to study and excel in.
To address these issues and make STEM subjects more accessible to girls, it's essential to provide adequate support, resources, and role models, as well as encourage girls to pursue their interests and explore their potential.
Where are we today?
The Chomoza STEM Lab is a safe and educational space for creating positive change in our community. Despite facing challenges such as lack of funds and non-acceptance by some members of the community, we have persisted. Our efforts have paid off after three years of hard work. Six of the girls no longer require private tuition classes after school because they feel their understanding of STEM concepts has greatly improved thanks to the Chomoza STEM Lab. The lab has become popular in the community, and parents who were once skeptical now take pride in their daughters' achievements. The Chomoza STEM Lab has empowered girls to be more confident and independent while improving their understanding of STEM concepts. It has overcome challenges and gained acceptance in the community. We are proud of the impact it has had on the lives of the girls who attend it and remain committed to its success.
Meet Our Team
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PROGRAMME MANAGER
S.T.E.M LAB SUPERVISOR
ADVOCACY AND COMMUNICATION OFFICER
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
ACCOUNTANT
M&E OFFICER
FIELD OFFICER
FIELD OFFICER AND DRIVER
FIELD OFFICER AND PHOTOGRAPHER
Adilisha Child Youth Development. P.O. Box 11098 Mwanza Tanzania - East Africa Physical Address: Ghana Street, Ilemela, MWANZA Rg no 00RG/ R2/ 000358