From Silence to Sauti (Voice)
The Rise of Meherleen Abax: When a Voice Found Its Stage.
At Prime Secondary School in Arusha, Tanzania, a young girl named Meherleen Abax, a Form One student, always dreamed of becoming a speaker not just any speaker, but one who could teach, inspire, and transform lives through the power of words.
She wrote passionately in her notebooks, poems, reflections, and short speeches, often whispering her words to herself after class. Her mother would find her sitting by the window, writing and reciting softly, believing that one day, her words would matter. But Meherleen had a question that echoed in her heart: “When will I get my first stage, and who will guide me there?”
One evening, her mother came across an announcement on Instagram: Back2Impact Challenge 2025, a national platform celebrating young voices using storytelling, poetry, and public speaking to inspire change. Curious yet cautious, she reached out to the organizers. To her surprise, they responded warmly, and the journey began.
When the big day came, Meherleen finally stood on her first stage. Her trembling hands held the microphone, but her heart spoke louder than her fear. Her speech, titled “Money Talks: Why Financial Literacy Matters for Every Student,” explored how young people can learn to save, manage, and invest wisely not just for themselves but for a better future. Her message deeply moved the audience, and Meherleen Abax was crowned the First Winner in the “Sauti in Action” category, earning the title of CRDB Youth Ambassador 2025.
Today, she continues her journey under mentorship from Sauti.Market, a platform committed to uplifting young voices and transforming their creativity into real-world opportunities. Her story is a living example of how Sauti.Market brings voices to the marketplace where talent meets purpose, and creativity meets opportunity.