When a friend suggested to Blessing Dickson, 17 years then that she accompanies her to an educational session at the offices of Girls Power Initiative (GPI) she was very reluctant. Not only was the meeting place a bus ride away, which she could not afford but also she really did not understand the essence of an after school educational session.
But the persistence of her friend and the encouragement of her brother led to her first attendance at the Girls’ Power Initiative educational session for young women after almost a year of persuasion, and since then she has never looked back. Blessing who is presently in the second year of the GPI programme is now a strong advocate of the Girls’ Power Initiative young women’s programme and has been convincing other friends to join the programme.
The GPI young women’s programme seeks to equip girls aged from 10 to 18 with human rights, and comprehensive sexuality education. The GPI young women’s programme is structured in such a way that everybody feels comfortable and safe. The entry level, level 1 is divided into 4 different groups based on age. The first group “shining stars” is for ages 10 and 11; second group “precious group” is for those 12 and 13 years old. The third group named “Silver” is for girls 14 and 15 years while the fourth group is for the older entrees aged 16 years and named “Pearls”.
To maintain the comfort of girls and young women within similar age groups the second level of the programme is divided into the older and younger girls. The younger girls are grouped together in the “Alpha” class while the older girls get into the “Bosoms” class. At the final level, which is level girl there is the “Damsels” who are younger and the “Seeders” who are the older group. The different classifications within the same level is to ensure that people feel free and are able to connect to and with people within their age group. The classification also ensures privacy and confidentiality. It takes 3 years to graduate from the GPI and an examination is taken at the end of each year before one is promoted to the next class. After the 3 years the graduate joins the GPI Alumni Association (GAA).
A wide range of topics are covered weekly including issues around women’s sexual health and rights; skills building activities including income generation skills, building of self esteem, imbibing a sense of responsibility and ability to think critically about issues. The girls are also taught to be firm in their convictions and to be able to withstand all the pressures of being a teenager.
GPI provides transportation to and from from the venue of the programme,, this ensures that the unavailability of a bus fare does not hinder any of the girls from attending the weekly classes/meetings.
Blessing who is now 19 years says, “Before joining GPI I could not stick to decisions, I was always wavering in my decisions and resolves but GPI taught me to stick to my decisions and to have a sense of responsibilities”. According to Blessing, the GPI lessons has helped her to shun all sexual activities as well as other negative social behaviours that teenagers usually indulge in. She has also learnt to respect the diversity of culture and tradition as well as to make responsible choices. She now can speak firmly but politely, is very assertive and has a high sense of self esteem.
Blessing is presently working as a fashion designer whilst saving money to continue her education. One of the key lessons Blessing has taken away from her training at GPI is the ability to readily apologise when she is in the wrong. This has brought about a lot of peace and tranquility within her relationships at home and amongst her friends.
She finds a lot of peace and comfort in the GPI family for she is able to confide in her facilitators especially in relation to issues around her sexual health, something she is unable to do with her mother. “The facilitators are friendly, they are like mothers to me. They listen to me, when I have problems even at home I tell them and they counsel me and support me and this makes me strong”.
GPI has helped Blessing to unearth her creative talents in poetry and song writing. She has presently written 4 songs that the GPI has adopted for the girls. Without the GPI most of these talents would have died within her. Blessing is planning to go to the medical school or to become a medical lab scientist, she plans on enrolling in a tertiary institution in 2011.
The GPI counseling programme is structured to involve parents and to engage with teachers when the need arises. Parents know that GPI is a safe space for their children, they have witnessed the changes that has occurred within their children and the diverse strength that has been displayed by daughters who have benefitted from the GPI programme. Teachers sometimes consult the notes of beneficiaries of GPI during lessons on sexual and reproductive health. Students approach students of the GPI programme for counseling, encouragement and support.
With the ever increasing numbers of girls attending the young women’s programme at the GPI there is the need to have a bigger facility that can comfortably accommodate all these girls. For this reason, AWDF is supporting the building of a new complex for the GPI.
By: Beatrice Boake-Yiadom
Grants Manager, AWDF