Girl Power Clubs Moulding Leaders: Trizah Mboya's Story

Meet Trizah Mboya, a student at South Eastern Kenya University who recently completed her internship at Sadili and is now back to college. Trizah was a member of Girl Power Clubs while in primary school, and has grown to become a  role model to younger school girls who are presently members of Girl Power Clubs. She spent her last long holiday as an intern at Sadili Oval Sports Academy and had the opportunity to interact with the current members of Girl Power Clubs as well as children in other programs. Here is her story:

“My name is Trizah Mboya, a former intern at Sadili Oval Sports Academy. I came to know about Sadili through their program Girl Power Clubs Africa back when I was still in class 7 at St. Michael’s Holy Unity Academy. Throughout the program I learnt a lot during the sessions that they had in the school. I have been able to learn a lot more during my internship at Sadili which has also widened my thinking and attitude on lots of things.

Throughout my internship at Sadili under the Court of Dreams program, I loved my experience with Mary Rice School- a school for special needs children. Despite their conditions, these children were so full of life. Their smiles, their happiness and positive attitude towards life were a big lesson to me. They taught me that despite any situation we maybe in life, we should always appreciate and love life. The court of dreams program has also been helpful as I engaged in data entry and also data collection which was really a fun thing to do and teaching of the daily lives. I have also been able to learn tennis as a sport which was one of the things I least expected to develop an interest in, but I have found it as a great and now as one of my favorite games. I have experienced a lot through the programs they have been conducting. The most exciting and important part is the relation with the people in the community. Although it was a challenge at first, I found it more exciting since it also gave me the tips of handling different people, accepting and appreciating the people living around us. This has made me strong and I have learnt to persevere more and also be ready to work in any environment.

Under Girl Power program I also had the chance to talk to girls like me and share different experiences of our daily lives. Women empower each other. I learnt a lot from the girls as we would talk openly of every situation we’ve faced as girls. I must admit that I learnt from the girls from their questions and answers. The different topics we shared like Leadership, Menstruation, Discipline among others showed impact afterwards from the girls. I loved their company and how they always there for one one another, fighting challenges together.

Sadili has raised a platform in my life as I went through new discoveries, meeting new people and engaging with the community. I thank Sadili for inviting me in their programmes to work with them and gain good experiences from the programs. I am looking forward to practicing everything I learnt while at Sadili in my daily life, especially when it comes to working with children.”

Trizah's hard work and dedication during her internship at Sadili was always evident and that explains her success and ease with working with young people. We hope to see her do even more to her community in future.

We are always proud to see Girl Power Club members grow into ladies who are out to change the world, even in little ways!

Girl Power Clubs Africa holds a Successful Vital Voices Mentoring Walk in Nairobi

One hundred and six girls and young women gathered at Sadili Oval in Nairobi on 11^th March 2017 to join thousands of women around the world in the Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk. Similar Mentoring Walks took place in 61 countries across nearly every region of the world, in commemoration of International Women’s Day. 

The hot and sunny weather in Nairobi was no match for the girls’ determination to participate in the Walk, be inspired and make their voices heard. The huge crowd of girls and young women drew everyone’s attention as they marched bringing the usually busy Lang’ata area to a standstill. Most of these girls (mentees) were student leaders in secondary and upper primary schools.

After the Walk, the girls were divided into small groups where they had a chance to talk to their mentors and be inspired. They freely talked about the challenges they face in their pursuit of leadership roles in a male-dominated society, shared experiences and many ideas on ways through which they can stand for themselves and boldly make their voices heard.

“This is the first time I have participated in such an event, and I am so glad I came. I have learnt much more than I thought I would both from the mentors and other girl leaders [mentees] from other schools,” remarked Grace Munini, a student at St. Christine Secondary School. “I am leaving this place more motivated to take up leadership roles now and in future. Thank you Girl Power Clubs for organizing such an event and for inviting my school.”

Ms. Peris Kabiru, a high school teacher and also one of the mentors, was equally challenged after her interaction with the girls. “It’s been a pleasure chatting with the girls and I would like to do this more often. Next time there is chance to mentor young leaders please let me know, I will be more than thrilled to participate!” She said.

The Mentoring Walk is organized annually as part of a global movement to inspire a rising generation through mentorship. This particular Walk in Nairobi was made possible by Girl Power Clubs Africa movement with kind support from Dr. Liz Odera, founder of the movement, mentor and also a Vital Voices fellow.

We as Girl Power Clubs Africa are extremely grateful to everyone who made the Walk possible in Nairobi, especially our mentors and mentees who came along and showed their support for the initiative. After this year’s success we are already thinking how we can make it even better next year and hope that more women and girls will find time to participate, and see it as an excellent opportunity to “raise a vital voice” by mentoring an aspiring woman leader.

Girl Power Clubs Africa Set to Participate in 2017 Global Mentoring Walk

Next Saturday 11th March women around the world will be taking part in the 2017 Vital Voices Global Mentoring Walk. This will also be an event to mark International Women’s Day that will be celebrated on 8^th March 2017. As part of our efforts and objectives to empower teenage girls and train them to become positive agents of change in their communities, Girl Power Clubs Africa will mark the day at Sadili Oval in Nairobi, Kenya. Approximately 50 Girl Power Club members from various schools in Nairobi and 5 mentors are expected to attend this event. The theme will be "Be bold for Change", which is in line with this year's International Women's Day's theme.

The programme
9:00-10:00am - Arrival & registration
10:00-11:00am - Walk
11:00am-12:15pm- Talks from mentors to mentees
12:15-12:30pm - Closing ceremony
12:30-1:00pm - Lunch and departure

The Global Mentoring Walk is an opportunity to highlight the importance of women’s leadership, and to accelerate the impact of women leaders through mentoring. Organized by outstanding local leaders who are key members of the Vital Voices Global Leadership Network, the annual Mentoring Walk brings together established women leaders and emerging women leaders to walk together in their community.

Founded by Dr. Liz Odera, A Vital Voices Fellow, Girl Power Clubs Africa is a women leadership program that trains teenage girls to become agents of positive change through sport, culture, art and dance, addressing Action against violence; personal abilities; healthy lifestyles; HIV and AIDS; self-esteem; entrepreneurship; role modeling, and taking leadership roles. 

Girl Power Clubs Africa to Lead Global Mentoring Walk

Preparations are underway to mark this year's International Women's Day on 5th March, in Uholo, Ugenya Constituency, Kenya, with the Global Mentoring Walk that will see more than 200 girls partner with mentors who will help them make life's decisions. This is be the first time that an event of this nature takes place in a rural setting in Kenya.

We are pleased that Vital Voices Fellow Dr. Liz Odera, chose the Girl Power Clubs Africa Program in Ugunja Constituency to be the flag-bearers for Kenya. The Guest of Honour will be the Siaya County Women’s MP Hon Dr Christine Ombaka. Other leaders from the county will be present. It will be a precursor event to celebrate the International Women’s Day.

The Day’s Programme

8.00 – 9.00 a.m. High school girls and community women leaders converge at the Sigomre Chief’s Camp.

9.30 a.m. – 10.00 a.m. Flag off of the Ceremony

Women and Girls begin walk, which ends at the Sigomre Secondary School

11.00 a.m. – Speech by the Guest of Honour, Hon Dr Christine Ombaka 

                   - Speech by Ugunja MP Hon Opiyo Wandayi

11.30 a.m. – Girls and mentors hold group discussions

12.30 p.m. – Lunch and guests leave at their own leisure.

        

Notes to the Editor

1. Vital Voices is a leading non-governmental organization (NGO) that identifies, trains and empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the globe, enabling them to create a better world. Vital Voices believes that mentoring is a critical activity in empowering women to succeed as leaders and creating opportunities for women on a local scale.
2. Girl Power Clubs Africa is a women leadership program that trains teenage girls to become agents of positive change through sport, culture, art and dance, addressing Action against violence; personal abilities; healthy lifestyles; HIV and AIDS; self-esteem; entrepreneurship; role modeling, and taking leadership roles. Current membership: 1530 girls in 32 schools within Nairobi, Busia and Siaya Counties, with networks in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Website: www.girlpowerclubs.org
3. The Global Mentoring Walk is an opportunity to highlight the importance of women’s leadership, and to accelerate the impact of women leaders through mentoring. Organized by outstanding local leaders who are key members of the Vital Voices Global Leadership Network, the annual Mentoring Walk brings together established women leaders and emerging women leaders to walk together in their community.
4. As they walk, they discuss their professional challenges and successes and establish a mentoring relationship in which the seasoned leader guides, advises and supports her peer. The benefits of women’s mentorship are numerous. It establishes camaraderie, creates gender-friendly environments, promotes a stronger environment for women’s success, and expands horizons for further personal growth as you explore innovative leadership strategies
5. For more information, please contact Maria Okong'o, the Girl Power Clubs Program Leader in Siaya County, okongomaria@gmail.com and +254-727-869-882.