Can you imagine living somewhere where as a girl you were treated as an object and told you had no worth? Can you imagine wanting an education so badly but being forced to have sex if you wanted to get an "A"? You can't go to school when your on your period, you don't even know what a period is... The list goes on and on!
The young women of Uganda are facing these challenges and more everyday!
After seeing this need I teamed up with a local named Wilson and created the "I'm proud to be a girl" campaign.
My team and I travel around Uganda to high schools where we divide the boys and the girls into different groups and while Wilson teaches the boys we teach the girls. The lesson plan is designed to inspire these girls to know that they are not a mistake and have SO much potential. Wilson works on teaching the boys to have respect for the girls and more.
Our lesson not only talks about confidence but goes over HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, and feminine health. During the lesson it is an open discussion for these girls to ask or say whatever they want! And after the lesson is finished they are invited to come speak one on one with one of the volunteers.
We have had tremendous success with this project in just the few weeks its been going. These girls never have the opportunity to talk about these issues and they are so open with us. It can be discouraging to hear their tragic stories and problems they are having that don't have solutions but they are so happy to have someone who will just listen to them and offer some comfort.
I love hearing the girls yell, "yes!" in agreement to my speech, "We should all have confidence. We don't need a boy to tell us we are beautiful to know that we are! All of us in this room are beautiful and smart and talented. If we know that for ourselves we can walk in confidence no matter who tells us otherwise!"
I am trying to travel to as many schools as I can before I leave but I hope this campaign will continue for years to come.
The young women of Uganda are facing these challenges and more everyday!
After seeing this need I teamed up with a local named Wilson and created the "I'm proud to be a girl" campaign.
My team and I travel around Uganda to high schools where we divide the boys and the girls into different groups and while Wilson teaches the boys we teach the girls. The lesson plan is designed to inspire these girls to know that they are not a mistake and have SO much potential. Wilson works on teaching the boys to have respect for the girls and more.
Our lesson not only talks about confidence but goes over HIV/AIDS, pregnancy, and feminine health. During the lesson it is an open discussion for these girls to ask or say whatever they want! And after the lesson is finished they are invited to come speak one on one with one of the volunteers.
We have had tremendous success with this project in just the few weeks its been going. These girls never have the opportunity to talk about these issues and they are so open with us. It can be discouraging to hear their tragic stories and problems they are having that don't have solutions but they are so happy to have someone who will just listen to them and offer some comfort.
I love hearing the girls yell, "yes!" in agreement to my speech, "We should all have confidence. We don't need a boy to tell us we are beautiful to know that we are! All of us in this room are beautiful and smart and talented. If we know that for ourselves we can walk in confidence no matter who tells us otherwise!"
I am trying to travel to as many schools as I can before I leave but I hope this campaign will continue for years to come.
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| We have already talked to over 300 girls! |
