VB
Vendela Barck
Co-founder
Copenhagen
We grew up without a space to talk about this stuff. So we built one.
In February 2020 two friends, Johanna Friman and Vendela Barck, set out to make girls all over the globe believe in themselves and each other. Pamoja means “together” in Kiswahili, and together is the only way any of this happened.
Made by hundreds of women
100 co-writers from Denmark and Sweden wrote the 50 workshops. 50 country ambassadors from over 30 countries tested them in their own communities, so they work for a girl in São Paulo, Jakarta or Copenhagen alike. Three graphic designers drew every illustration. Nobody was paid. Everyone believed girls deserve this.
Our journey
February 2020
Pamoja Girls is founded with one vision: all girls in the world believing in themselves and each other.
March 2020
The first workshop is written. Its topic: My Sleep.
September 2020
50 women in Sweden and Denmark are writing the books together.
October 2021
Country ambassadors around the world test the first drafts with real groups of girls.
January 2022
Josefine, Hilda and Emma start illustrating every workshop.
December 2022
The Pamoja Girls Books are printed: 150 Leaders Books and 1,500 Girls Books.
January 2023
The first books arrive at Green Kenya in Nairobi.
2024
Finalist at the Female Invest Female Power Awards and nominated for Plan International Sweden's Girl Prize, Flickapriset. 3,673 girls in sessions across 21 countries.
The team
CRH
Cecilie Ru Hansen
Growth & Creative
Copenhagen
AB
Amanda Barck
Partnership Development
Madrid
JF
Johanna Friman
Co-founder & advisor
Washington D.C.
The stars behind the illustrations
Josefine Johansson, Hilda Englund and Emma Enblom volunteered to design the books, and drew a unique illustration for every one of the 50 workshops. Josefine also designed our logo.
“We believe that supporting women is the way forward, and it all starts with raising awareness.”
Pamoja
100% volunteer. 0 salaries.
Every person behind Pamoja Girls gives their time for free. Donations go to getting books to girls, mostly shipping, never salaries.
Say hi
Want to partner, sponsor, volunteer or just tell us something nice? We'd love to hear from you.
hello@pamojagirls.org