A story of new beginnings and prosperity for young mothers through cake art. 

Sculptures comes in many forms, using different material: marble, clay, concrete. Our unique approach to sculpture is to use something edible: cakes. Ndoto ya Kalista aims at enabling storytelling, and impacting cake making skills to young single mothers As women one of our uniting experience, especially in Tanzania, is around food. 

This projects aims at implementing creative art forms (sculpture) as a way of not only teach practical life skills about baking cakes but more importantly to enable sharing of stories and experiences amongst each other as young women, and society at large through cake sculpture. It' s a way of exploring our own issues, as well as reflect on what we can bring to life and society at large through cake sculpture making.

Why Ndoto ya Kalista Ndoto ya Kalista 

This project aims at offering practical cake-making training to (18) young mothers, aged 18-25 years, nine in Dar es Salaam, nine in Tanga and later exhibit their cake sculptures in both regions. Statistics show these are among the top regions with a huge number of early pregnancies. 

This age group is vulnerable due to having no means of income, dependence on family, and the stigma of the community. With cake art, they can be able to gain financial freedom, explore their creativity and make their  dream come to reality.

This project aimed at training 18 young single mothers to become cake artists and be able to share their stories and dreams through cake art.

Training

Following the completion of the training program, we organized a highly anticipated exhibition where the beneficiaries of the Ndoto Ya Kalista project had the opportunity to showcase their remarkable artworks. The exhibition was a celebration of their talent, creativity, and personal growth throughout the training process. The sculptures on display were not mere artistic creations; they were profound reflections of the life stories and dreams of the beneficiaries. Each sculpture encapsulated their personal journeys, showcasing the strength, hope, and resilience that had been nurtured within them. 

The artworks served as powerful visual narratives, conveying emotions, aspirations, and triumphs. Visitors to the exhibition were captivated by the depth and authenticity of the sculptures, and the stories they told left a lasting impact on all who witnessed them. Through their art, the beneficiaries demonstrated their ability to translate their life experiences into tangible and evocative forms. It was a testament to their newfound skills, as well as their willingness to express themselves artistically. The exhibition not only showcased their artistic prowess but also provided a platform for them to share their stories with a wider audience, fostering understanding, empathy, and appreciation. 

The sculptures displayed at the exhibition embodied the collective spirit of strength, hope, and resilience. They served as a reminder that despite the challenges faced by the beneficiaries as single mothers, they had the power to overcome adversity and pursue their dreams. The artworks inspired and uplifted all who viewed them, leaving a lasting impression of the transformative power of art and the indomitable human spirit. 

The Ndoto Ya Kalista exhibition was a resounding success, both in terms of artistic achievement and the impact it had on the beneficiaries and the community at large. It served as a testament to the transformative journey undertaken by these incredible individuals and left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of all who had the privilege of experiencing their artworks. 

The story of a girl who emerged in a village of hardworking people dedicated to farming and livestock keeping. Education is not a priority for the residents of this village, with many believing that a perfect woman is one who works hard rather than being educated. So, at a young age, she was involved in a life of herding animals.

 This rabbit sculpted cake, reminds her of where she came from, as she used to raise various livestock, including rabbits. Every day, she is taught to be a good wife by being assigned household chores such as farming and animal rearing, rather than being educated. Deep down, she has dreams of achieving great things in life, but this situation dampens her hope. 

Her family moves to the city, where at least it helps her parents open up a bit, but the challenges of school fees persist. She had to pay her own fees by selling meat salads, which didn't motivate her to strive for education. She found herself in a relationship, believing that there was a new hope there, but things took a different turn when she found herself alone, facing even more difficulties. 

 Kalista, a girl whose life changed after her parents' separation, from attending a good school and living in a nice home to the point of lacking meals at home. Initially, her father provided everything, and life was good, which didn't sit well with the people around them, as they lived with her dad's relatives.

 Like many other girls in the neighborhood, Kalista lacked proper guidance for shaping her life and understanding dreams and life in general. The neighborhood they moved to was predominantly of harsh behaviors, surrounded by people who didn't prioritize education or self-care. It required extra resilience to navigate those surroundings without losing herself or succumbing to temptations. 

She found herself in a relationship that she believed was a good thing, but things changed drastically after she became pregnant. The family dynamics at home were not supportive, and the situation worsened when the young man who impregnated her failed to provide the expected support. Furthermore, their relationship as parents was on shaky ground. This led to stress and a loss of hope.

 One thing that has always been in her heart is her love for cooking and recipes. But she questioned whether cooking could take her anywhere beyond being a simple home cook, considering that capital was a challenge. However, now there is a new hope. She is going to become an expert in cake artistry and culinary skills. 

 Like many other girls, hopes placed in relationships can quickly turn into disappointment when a girl becomes pregnant. She had hoped that the relationship would lead her somewhere, but it ended in despair when the other parent changed. If it hadn't been for the good relationship and closeness she had with her mother, she might have made decisions that could have cost her life. 

The dream that resides in her heart is to see herself walking on the runway as an international model! Will her parents understand? It may seem like a rebellious or provocative career choice, but as she looks at real-life examples of successful and respected women in the modeling industry, she has gained the wisdom to navigate it in a way that won't offend her parents. She has already disappointed them once and doesn't want to let them down again. 

Today, as she looks at this cake sculpt dressed in designer clothes, she envisions herself walking on the runway.!!

Story of a girl who was raised by her mother and step father.The journey she had endured being raised by her step father was filled with hardships and challenges, which greatly impacted her academic performance. However, she harbored a big dream within her – to become a designer. Yet, she couldn't fathom where to begin, especially after shouldering the responsibility of raising a child single-handedly. 

But today, a new ray of hope emerged in her life. She managed to showcase her design skills through a cake she had meticulously created. This small accomplishment ignited a spark within her, reminding her of the immense potential she possessed. 

Her journey had been marked by resilience and determination. She had faced countless obstacles, but she refused to let them define her. Despite the overwhelming responsibilities of being a single parent, she never lost sight of her passion for design.