When Mentors Become Partners at Cameras For Girls
At Cameras For Girls, mentorship is more than just guidance; it's a catalyst for transforming a young African woman's life. Our mentors play an instrumental role in helping young women navigate the male-dominated media landscape, equipping them with skills and opportunities. But what happens when mentorship evolves into something more? When mentors transition into partners, the impact multiplies.
Two of our remarkable mentors, Alex Paul Sekitoleko and Tiffany Orner, exemplify this progression. Their journeys from mentors to partners are a testament to what happens when people invest deeply in the growth of African women, particularly in Uganda.
Alex Sekitoleko: From Mentor to Country Coordinator & Lead Photographer
In Uganda, Alex Paul Sekitoleko has been a mentor with Cameras For Girls since 2022. As a filmmaker and storyteller, Alex initially discovered us on Instagram while looking for ways to support young women in the media. As a father to a young girl, he recognized the gender disparities in the field and wanted to contribute to changing the narrative. Over the years, he has mentored three women through our mentorship program.
But Alex didn't stop there. Last year, he stepped up again, mentoring a trainee in our Train the Trainer program, ensuring that the next generation of media professionals in Uganda had the skills and confidence to thrive. Through a six-month mentorship, Sandra Agwico enhanced her photography and filmmaking skills, and Alex took her to the field, opening up opportunities for her to shine even further. His dedication and passion led to an even greater role—this year, we welcomed Alex as our Head Coordinator in Uganda and Lead Photographer. His journey from mentor to integral team member showcases how deep engagement leads to sustainable impact.
Tiffany Orner: Creating Job Opportunities for Her Mentee
Across the ocean, hailing from Florida, Tiffany Orner, a brand and marketing strategist, joined our mentorship program last year. Her goal was to help one of our students navigate the digital space and position herself for success. That student was Sharon Kyatusiimire, who had attended our very first Cameras For Girls training in 2018.
Since then, Sharon has worked in various roles, gaining experience as a public relations and communications specialist, digital content creator with Vision Media, and freelancer. After mentoring Sharon for several months, Tiffany saw the immense potential in her work. But instead of ending the mentorship, she took it a step further—offering Sharon a paid opportunity to write monthly articles, which Tiffany will promote on LinkedIn through a new series entitled “Letters From Uganda” to showcase the struggles and triumphs of African women in media to her U.S. audience.
This partnership is precisely what we strive to cultivate at Cameras For Girls: a win-win situation where mentorship doesn't just end with advice but evolves into real opportunities, paid work, and job creation.
Why This Matters
Our mission is not just to train young women in media but also to create pathways to employment and long-term careers. With the launch of our NEW job creation program, we aim to connect more of our graduates with mentors who will guide them and open doors to real, sustainable work opportunities.
Stories like Alex and Tiffany's prove that when people truly believe in the potential of young women in media, the impact is limitless. We are proud to see our mentors stepping up in new ways, transforming mentorship into action, and building a stronger, more equitable future for women in media across Africa.
If you're inspired by these stories and want to be part of this movement, consider becoming a mentor or supporting our programs. Together, we can ensure that mentorship leads not just to learning but to lasting change.