Happy New Year Everyone!!! This year presents us all with a fresh slate of 365 days to unleash more impact in our communities and in the lives of people around us...I implore you to dive in with unparalleled vigour and be the outstanding change you want to see. As Seth Godin has advocated, it's time to overpower the Lizard Brain and reach for GOLD; Yes, YOU can do it!
By the way, do you know that the African Union has declared year 2015 as the "Year of Women's Empowerment and Development Towards Africa's Agenda 2063"? Oh well, now you know. Girls and women in Africa are so awesome that an entire year has been dedicated to our empowerment and development, towards achieving the region's long term goals. It is tacit knowledge that Girl Pride Circle is dedicated to playing a HUGE part in the empowerment of Africa's young girls in 2015 and beyond!
To this end, we are beginning the year with a big bang. Between January and April, we will be running an amazing project for 100 super girls in our pioneer partner secondary school - Obafemi Awolowo University International School, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. *Drum Rolls* as I introduce to you - "PROJECT KUULIZA"!!!
If you are not a speaker of Swahili (The most widely spoken African Language), I'm sure you are very eager to know what "Kuuliza" means - and in general, what GPC's #ProjectKuuliza will be all about.
To aid your understanding, let me share with you my favourite Swahili Proverb; "Kuuliza Si Ujinga", which literally means "To ask is NOT stupidity." Kuuliza simply means ASK...and to begin the year 2015, we are prompting young girls in Africa to amplify their voices and ASK questions about personal or socio-economic issues that affect them as girls.
Project Kuuliza will directly engage 100 young girls in Ile-Ife, Nigeria and inspire thousands of girls all over Africa to acquire the right knowledge via the right platforms. Girl Pride Circle will achieve this by training and speaking to the girls, sparking conversations/debates amongst them and engaging them in various impactful activities/simulations in order to bring a practical edge to knowledge acquired. Of course, we would be having LOTS of fun while we are at it!!!
Topics for the discussion-based training that will run through four months will include -
- Embracing Girlhood as a Stepping Stone;
- Combatting Gender-Based Violence from a Personal Perspective;
- Girls in Leadership, Technology and Entrepreneurship;
- Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights for Girls; and
- Achieving Gender Equality.
Trainings will be facilitated by experienced professionals in related fields as well as inspiring young leaders who are passionate about one or more of the above issues.
We are super excited about Project Kuuliza, and we hope you are too!!! For updates on the implementation of the project, be sure to stay with us on our Facebook Page. Also, if you share our belief in Project Kuuliza and you have any contribution(s)/suggestion(s) or you want to be a part of the project, we would love to hear from you at girlpridecircle@gmail.com
We will Rock 2015 Together!!!
Go girl. I'm a fan. Superb project.
ReplyDeleteThank you Caleb :) Happy New Year!!!
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