Breaking Barriers: Empower IDP girls through Sport

In the fourth (4) quarter of 2025, the Orah Bayit Play & Excel programme reached one of its pioneering goals as our girls not only played but they also told their story to the world with confidence. Twenty-five (25) of our girls were happy to be in a documentary that showed how sports is changing their lives and breaking down gender stereotypes in their communities. At this point, they showed how far they had come from being shy to being confident enough to talk in public and in front of the camera.

The Play & Excel team also had a productive meeting with the girls' parents at the training ground to help make this change even stronger.  The goal of the meeting was to get parents more involved, make them aware of how important it is for their girl children to play sports for health and career gains, and talk about the things that typically keep girls from being active. 

It was quite successful because a lot of parents were happy with the changes they saw in their daughters, such as self-confidence, greater communication and technical abilities, and better behaviour at home. A lot of parents promised to keep supporting the cause, which has shown a huge improvement in how people think about women's inclusion in sports.

The girls have been training hard every Saturday, showing discipline and dedication. They continue to learn useful football skills including controlling the ball, passing accurately, dribbling, positioning and working as a team during these sessions.  Their efforts culminated in an exhibition match between themselves at the Government Secondary School, Narayi, playground, ending in a dramatic 5–1 triumph for Team Blue against Team Yellow, to show their parents how much they have grown. Their performance earned praise from parents and teammates, especially regarding the high level of their displayed confidence, unity, and drive. 

Beyond football, each Saturday session normally finishes with interesting presentations on life skills and personal growth. The girls would gather for talks on health, education, and social well-being. In one of the presentations titled “My Voice, My Victory,” they shared personal stories and taught storytelling and public-speaking skills, conquering anxieties, body shaming,g and cultural bias. Another session on “Health and Hygiene” concentrated on menstrual hygiene management, cleanliness, and mental well-being, while discussions on education and leadership showcase discipline, goal-setting and balancing sports with academics.

These efforts yielded excellent outcomes as 83% of the girls reported higher confidence and self-awareness, 73% enhanced teamwork and leadership and 65% revived interest in academics.  Since its start, the Play & Excel programme has influenced over 170 girls, many of whom continue to grow in confidence and purpose.

What began as a simple sports programme has become a revolutionary movement that honours strength, amplifies the female voice, and supports exposure for girls formerly unseen. Through your continuing support and participation, Orah Bayit Play & Excel stays committed to building girls who play with purpose, lead with pride, and inspire others through courage and determination.

This quarter, 21 determined girls joined our sports training program, boldly stepping beyond stereotypes and showing what’s possible when they’re given a chance. Our girls played a friendly match against a boys’ team and proudly won 5–3, proving their growing confidence and teamwork. They also played a match against each other, where the blue team scored 2–1 against the yellow team. These games aren’t just fun, they’re building courage, unity, and belief in each other.

Beyond the field, our girls are growing in self-love and responsibility. In an interactive session on “Playing with Love, Without Rejection,” they opened up about their challenges and pledged to support one another. They learned the importance of showing up on time, caring for each other, and taking pride in their actions. A hygiene session focused on different topics helped boost both health and self-esteem. These lessons are helping them become strong in every area of life.

Thanks to your donations, 3 girls received full school fee scholarships for the 2025 academic session. The girls are also asking for exercise books to support their learning. They’ve shown a deep desire to grow on the field and in school, and have even requested more training days to improve their speed and skills. With continued support for education, sports, and personal care, we know they’ll go even further.

So far, out of the 156 who have passed through the project, 56 girls have been consistent through this program, with real progress in confidence, academic support, and personal growth. With your help, we can do more, add training sessions, provide learning materials, and support more girls with school fees. Thank you for helping us shape a future where every girl can play, learn, and lead with pride.

Links:

• https://youtu.be/J29HqWrDpBw?si=ZXLgJHA_EUuiw4ha
• https://abcnews.com.ng/girl-child-education-ngo-trains-girls-to-burst-mental-health/