St Michael Holy Unity Girls

I am seated with five girls from St Michael’s Holy Unity School. Elizabeth is 11 and in class 6. Viola and Sharon are also in class 6 but are 12 years old.  Pauline is 15 and in class 5 and Cynthia is 13 and in class 7. Sport is definitely a favourite part of their Girl Power classes. “My favourite thing about Girl Power is sport, just like playing football.  Not netball, just football” says Elizabeth. The other girls say they like football too, and netball and Cynthia says her favourite sport is volleyball.  All the girls live in Kibera, some with the mums and dads and others with guardians or other family members.

Viola says the best thing she has learnt from Girl Power is how to prevent rape and what to do about it.  The other girls say they have learnt about “peer pressure, how to be yourself, menstruation and confidence”.  It’s almost like a mantra with this group!

Brenda then joins the group from the soccer field.  “I have learnt to be confident and to be proud of yourself and not to be shy” she says of Girl Power.  I ask her if she finds it hard to go to school sometimes. “Yeah, sometimes it is hard to go to school, especially if my dad is sick, I feel uncomfortable because he is home alone.  But I like going to school because I learn more about the things I don’t know. Sometimes even I learn about the skills that I have.  The school might make me to know my talents, especially from my friends.  When I see them playing football I think “let me join that” and I will find my talent there”.

How about the other girls’ talents? “Football” says Elizabeth.  “Dancing” offers Viola.  Sharon says her talent is singing and Cynthia says she likes to dance and act.  Cynthia is lucky, she has recognized three talents that she has – “dancing and acting and volleyball”.  A creative bunch!

 Written by Hannah Collins, volunteer at Girl Power
Approved by Dr Liz Odera, Director at Sadili Oval Sports Academy

Belinda and Linda talk to us

Belinda and Linda choose to be interviewed together – being the only ones to say yes to an interview of out a class 30, they are very brave! Belinda is 17 and Linda is 18 and they are both in form three.  “If I finish school, I want to be a doctor, in particular I want to be a surgeon” says Belinda.  “With me, I would love to be a business woman” says Linda.  “I would like to work in a restaurant, maybe own them.  I can cook a very nice meal!” she laughs. Both share favourite subjects of English and Swahili, with Belinda also liking Biology and Linda Geography.  Both girls like to read.

Both girls have been in Girl Power for two years.  “As for me, I have been here for now two years.  I went for the goal training and what I learnt was how to be myself and be proud of myself and know that I am beautiful the way I am” says Belinda. “It is the same for me, I have been here for two years.  I also went to the goal training, and I learnt to just carry on, keep pressing on” Linda adds. ”In Girl Power we have leant how to be ourselves, how to be healthy, how to be money savvy and how to nurture our talents” explains Belinda. Linda agrees. “I have learnt how to make use of my talent, and how to help others with their talent making their life better and I have learnt that I am special the way I am ad I should take myself how god created me”.

All this talk of talent leads one to ask what the girls’ talents are?  “My talent is playing football and reading” Belinda says, “mine is singing” Linda beams.

“Yes, we live here in Kibera, I live with my aunt and cousins – I have many cousins! I am an only child” says Belinda of their living situations. Life is hard.  For example sometimes you don’t have water and you don’t have that money to buy that water.  The same with food”. “I also live in Kibera, I have sisters and also cousins” says Linda. “Sometimes it becomes hard when you are living with an aunt or a relative and that aunt also has her kids and there is no money for school fees” she elaborates.

“For me, I would love to say that since my mother died in 2004, I was taken into an orphanage school.  I learnt there for a couple of years, like seven years, and when I was out of there, that is when I came here, my aunt brought me to this school.  Before this, I can say that school has helped me.  My old school taught me god’s word and I can say that I have been saved” Linda finishes up.

Belinda’s story is also sad. “As for me, I can say that my father died in 2004 when I was in class three.  He was shot with six bullets and died on the spot.  With the help of my mother and some well wishers, I have been able to continue with my education.  With the help of God I know that anything is possible”.

TERM THREE 2012, LETTER TO SCHOOLS AND CLUBS

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Girl Power Clubs Africa

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Email: girlpower444@yahoo.com

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Website: http://girlpowerclubs.blogspot.com

                                                                                              Facebook: ‘’Wanjiku Girlpower Kenya’’

                                                                                                                                                                                                          Sadili Oval Sports Academy,

                                                                                                                                                                                                           P.O.Box 8477-00100 Nairobi, Kenya

Dear Members and Patron

Girl Power Club,

___________________________ School

3 September 2012

RE: Activities For 2012 And Closing Debate

We hope you all had a great time during the August holidays!

It has been a great year with lots of fun and learning between us, we are grow bigger and better together thanks to all of you! This year our major activities have been:

1.       Girl Power Leaders workshop, 27^th of January, where girl leaders from different clubs in attendance were equipped to some Leadership Skills

2.       I Have A Ball- ‘’You have the right to know yourself’’ Workshop , Medical Camp and Competition, in which winners in various categories were, Huruma Girls, Nazarene Primary, Malezi Primary, Langata Barracks and Olympic High School and a special song presentation by Parklands Arya.

3.       Sisterhood World Cup 2012, took place in May and June, together with sexuality and HIV-AIDS Workshops, assisted by Liverpool VCT. The event attracted radio at Venus FM and Radio Jambo, presented by members from Olympic High. Winners of the Cup were, Olympic High School.

4.       Voting on the Code on Abuse on both Radio Shows and in Girl Power Schools.

5.       This year, we also welcome new Girl Power Clubs: Langata Barracks & Nairobi Day.

6.       Muslim Academy has been doing well in their business project, while Kenya High School has reported to carrying out visits at a children’s home, which is good!

7.       Olympic High School, Girls football team, became national champions at the KSSSA Ball Games in Mombasa, and represented Kenya at the East Africa Championships. Well done girls!

8.       Nazarene Primary School presented 15 topics on “I Have A Ball” and “Girls Speak Out!” Superb work girls!

9.       We now have a Girl Power Facebook account up, running and active! We welcome individual club pages, and so far, two clubs have submitted their page names, Malezi High (Epic Girls) & Huruma Girls (Hugzville Gal Powa).

10.    The Girl Power Website/Blog is now up and running with your stories and events, please find them here: http://girlpowerclubs.blogspot.com

This Term

We would like to welcome you back to Girl Power’s end of the year 2012 activities!

Saturday 15th September 2012 – Girl Power Debate

8.30 a.m. – 12.00 noon

There will be three topics debated on:

1.       Should There Be Extra Tuition In Schools?

2.       Should Girls Wear Uniform?

3.       Beauty or Knowledge: which one would you choose?

Please confirm your attendance by filling the Girl Power Debate entry form and also be kind enough to inform us early for the sake of logistics.

For more information please email girlpower444@yahoo.com or call our Project Assistant Ja Young N. Margaret on +254 715 684 846.

Kindly remember to submit your Term One and Two Girl Power Report Forms if you haven’t already done so urgently to ensure that you are included in the debate!

Yours Sincerely,

Dr. Liz Odera

Director,

Girl Power Clubs Africa,

Sadili Oval Sports Academy.

www.sadili.com

A Rapist Talks.....

	Through a Rapist's Eyes - Christian Stories Source: christianstories.co Christian Stories - Short Inspirational Stories Website :www.ChristianStories.Co FaceBook :http://www.facebook.com/ChristianStories

Diana's Story

DIANA'S STORY

Many girls especially those from the slum areas and some times those of the middle class society, do face some form of abuse, rejection, betrayal, negative peer presure, lack avenues where they could channel their energies to. They also lack some safe haven where they could run to for help and end up getting rejected and ridiculed by those they love and loved and literary they turn a disgrace and societal rejects within their own communities. They hurt and hope for better lives if only.....they could get help, some skills and a chance too! Some have risen above those problems and now plunge ahead in life having seen both sides, they tell their stories...such is the story of one Diana Ambasha. Raised by her grandmmother after death of her mother at age 8. Never knew the man who sired her but was greatful to have a loving grandmother who cared much and made effort to school her. Talented in football, she joined a local team in the Kibera slum where she was born and raised. At age 16, she got pregnant and the man responsible took off. Diana had just competed her Primary School. Disappointed grandmother decided to chase her for fear of what her neighbours will say especially after the man responsible took off. Troubled Diana's freinds had deserted her....she turned into a laughing stock and soon closed in her self and never left the house from which, she was now being away kicked from. Through Sisterhood World Cup 2010, which she played in, we came to know of her. We heard her story and did a follow up. Making endless visits even on muddy days into the slums of Kibera, talking to both grandmother and granddaughter untill they were able to accept the situation and embrace each other. The two are now great freinds and Diana brought fourth a beautiful baby boy to whom we took donated baby clothes and got her a few basics. Diana is now back to school and has joined high school, with the help of Dr. Liz Odera. Beautiful and happy as never before, Diana is back to the pitch playing for her school team Malezi and Sadili's Sport for Life - Girls team!!! Plays any position except she says dont give her the goal post. Dreaming big, Diana says she has seen a new light and is thankful to Girl Power Clubs Africa and her hero Dr. Liz Odera for taking her back to school and will never disappoint,only do her best.