By Deborah Schmitz | Project Leader
“One of the things I like best is that I feel safe to share in the group, I can share my thoughts and there is always someone to help me when I have problems”, says 12-year-old Hope, part of Boxgirls’ Girls Afterschool Club. She celebrates International Women’s day together with over 400 other girls, caregivers and Boxgirls staff in Khayelitsha, South Africa. The day was an important event for all of them - they celebrated their work supporting girls’ rights and fighting gender based violence. Eight Afterschool Clubs presented their work on stage and showed to their parents and the community what they had learned in the program: “I attend the homework club every week and my teacher at school is really happy with me now. He said I was improving a lot, I understand the exercises better and it’s easier for me to keep up with the class”, 11-year-old Cebile announced proudly to the audience.
Andiswa Madikane, peer facilitator at Boxgirls, explained the success of the program:
“I know a girl in the street where I am living. Her name is Andisiwe. I always knew her as a very shy and introverted person. One day she came to visit one of our afterschool sessions and seemed to be happy being with peers and talked about her issues with understanding math and English. So, we invited her to join our project. Now, after being part of Boxgirls she is confident, she can speak to anyone and is not shy to share her views anymore.”
Each and every single component of Boxgirls’ leadership trainings helps to uplift the girls’ self-esteem and self-efficacy. We create confident, empowered leaders who will take an active role in their school and community.
The day ended with the girls performing poems, songs and plays about strong women and women empowerment on stage. In the end, the whole audience danced and sang, celebrating their achievements and their day as women.
Thank you so much for your support to the Boxgirls Afterschool Clubs! Each and every donation helps us to keep the Afterschool Clubs running. With your help we provide a safe space for the girls, give media and leadership trainings, help them fight against gender based violence and support their development to strong women, actively shaping their community. Thank you!
All the best from Boxgirls team,
Deborah Schmitz
Links:
By Anna Jankowska | Project Leader
By Frida Culemann | Project Leader
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