How Daraja Impact Hub is Empowering Change-Makers Through Mentoring
with Kudzai Abigail Farirayi
Mentorloop Impact Award Winner 2025
Daraja Impact Hub turned lived experience into a movement, using Mentorloop to build a scalable, online mentoring program that now supports African mentees across the world. With a 4.75/5 quality score, hundreds of logged interactions, and inspiring success stories, Daraja is creating a culture of growth, confidence, and opportunity—showing how structured mentoring can transform both individuals and communities.
Turning Lived Experience Into Lasting Impact
For Daraja Impact Hub, mentoring isn’t just a program—it’s a movement born from lived experience. Founder Kuda Shamu understood first-hand the power of mentorship when, as an international student, guidance and introductions opened doors that might otherwise have remained closed. Years later, watching his niece struggle to find her first role despite a degree, he saw how one supportive connection could transform a life.
That moment was the spark. If mentorship could help one person overcome barriers, what might happen if it were made accessible to hundreds? Out of this vision, Daraja’s mentoring program was born—designed to empower young people and professionals to gain confidence, build networks, and thrive.
Building Confidence and Unlocking Opportunity
From the very beginning, the stories from mentees told Daraja they were on the right track. Participants described not just gaining career advice, but feeling newly confident to step into challenges, ask bold questions, and take ownership of their futures.
“The real measure of success isn’t the numbers—it’s in the lives being changed”
– Abby Farirayi, Director of Procurement and Marketing.
Mentees spoke of mentors who believed in them before they believed in themselves. Mentors, in turn, reported the joy of seeing their mentees grow and the fulfillment of giving back to the next generation of change-makers.
Scaling Impact With Mentorloop
Since moving onto Mentorloop, Daraja has been able to take this vision further, faster. The platform has given the team structure, visibility, and the ability to scale confidently.
- Participation has grown to over 100+ active members, with 54 mentees and 41 mentors engaged.
- 631+ interactions have been logged—proof that the conversations don’t stop at introductions.
- 75% of participants are matched in active one-on-one loops.
- The program’s mentoring quality score sits at 4.78/5, far above global benchmarks
Features like smart matching, real-time engagement tracking, and feedback surveys have given coordinators the confidence to support participants at the right moments. Mentors consistently receive five-star reviews, while mentees describe boosts in clarity, confidence, and initiative.
“Mentorloop hasn’t just helped us run the program—it’s helped us build a culture of growth and opportunity"
Reaching Across Borders
Accessibility has been at the heart of Daraja’s program design. By running the program online, Daraja has opened doors for mentees across the global diaspora and beyond, ensuring that distance or circumstance aren’t barriers to opportunity.
Young professionals who might otherwise miss out now have the chance to connect with experienced mentors across industries, building the networks and knowledge to thrive.
What’s Next: Growth Without Borders
Daraja’s next chapter is all about expansion. In the coming years, the team plans to:
- Grow the program’s reach across Africa and the global diaspora
- Recruit mentors from diverse industries to broaden opportunities
- Ensure mentoring is accessible to everyone—no matter their location, background, or stage of life
The vision is clear: a thriving network of guidance and opportunity, creating ripple effects of empowerment and change.
Kudzai Abigail Farirayi
Daraja Impact Hub
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My advice? Take the step, it’s absolutely worth it. Even small beginnings can grow into something transformative. And if you’re looking for the right platform, Mentorloop makes it smooth, scalable, and impactful.”
– Kudzai Abigail Farirayi, Daraja Impact Hub
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In this post, we’ll look at how mentors can successfully build quality feedback into their mentoring. Quality feedback is priceless because it clarifies expectations, helps people learn from their mistakes, and builds confidence. It also allows mentees to more effectively take what their mentors say and turn it into action.
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