the She's the First blog

Guest Post: Why I’m Dancing for Graduation

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Shes the First Team

Anoushka

My name is Anoushka Parthasarathi and I’m currently a senior at South Brunswick High School in New Jersey. I’m graduating in a month and I couldn’t be more excited. With graduation comes tons of new opportunities and new memories to make and I’m so eager to get out into the world and seize those.

Earlier this year, when I was thinking about what to do to celebrate my graduation, I said to myself, “It’s just high school, everybody graduates. It’s not that big a deal. Maybe I’ll just throw a small party with some close friends.”

The next day, I went to school and saw flyers around for a fundraiser for She’s the First. I had heard the name before, but I didn’t really know what it was about. I went home and looked at the website, and what I saw was absolutely alarming. Only one in every five girls in the developing world finishes primary school!! Yet, less than two cents of every development dollar goes to girls!!

Upon seeing this, I was shocked. I was shocked at how much I take for granted, how much we take for granted, every single day. We get the privilege of going to a good school and learning in a safe environment 5 times a week. We never think twice about it because going to school is the norm here, and we’re lucky that it is. Agreed, it’s difficult getting up at 6 AM every day and catching a bus an hour later (I’ve given up all hope on trying to wake up that early), but we’re so fortunate that we have that problem.

Everyone should be entitled to an education. In fact, education should be a right, not a privilege. Girls like Malala remind me just how hard it is for girls around the world and it should never be like that. Thinking about this, I felt so frustrated and helpless and confused. I felt restless. I felt like I needed to do something. That’s when it clicked. I could use my graduation as a way to help these girls who so desperately need it. I could use it to raise awareness about this issue. I decided to do a fundraiser while doing something I love, aka dance.

I’ve been dancing for as long as I can remember and I love it more than anything in the world. It’s an outlet for me. Whether I’m sad, happy, mad, frustrated, I just dance and I feel incredible. I feel magic. Pure magic. I thought about it and realized that I could put on a show and make that a fundraiser.

Suddenly, everything started to come together. My dance teacher was excited to help organize the show. Phone calls were made, emails were sent, discussions were happening; it was all such a blur. I came home from school one day and my mom said, “You’re doing the show!” I got so excited and couldn’t wait to prepare.

So much has been done in preparation for this performance and I’m so excited for the day to finally come. I have had regular dance rehearsals at 7 am on Sunday mornings, 3.30 pm on some weekdays soon after school, besides my weekly dance classes and the class I teach early Saturday mornings. I practically camp out at my dance school! I prepared for two other programs while preparing for this one and also took 3 AP exams. I skipped opportunities to hang out with my friends who I may never see after graduation. I have worked really hard for this fundraiser and I urge you all to please come out and support this incredible cause.

High school graduation IS a BIG deal and I cannot think of a better way to celebrate it than by helping other girls around the world graduate. If you would like to support my fundraiser, please donate here.

Posted in Fundraising Ideas, Guest Posts | Leave a comment

The Importance of Mentors at Starfish One by One

Posted on May 20, 2013 by Aishwarya Bhake

Jeronima Sulugui, mentor to Starfish One by One students

Many powerful females have repeated quoted the importance of mentors. Mentors are there to guide, give advice, change your perspective and push you to succeed. And mentors aren’t just limited to the professional world; their influence can be useful in all aspects of life. This is why Starfish One by One, our partner school in Guatemala, has adopted the mentorship model to guide young women through their education.

Starfish mentors meet with their mentee group weekly and not only provide academic support, but also to encourage students to develop leadership skills. Mentors also equip students with life skills such as management of personal finances and social and environmental responsibility. The mentors ensure that each Starfish student receives a well-rounded education so that she is ready to lead her family and community.

As an added bonus, Starfish mentors are unique in that they come from the same community as their mentees, can understand the obstacles they face from their families and society, and are themselves shining examples of the power of education. We asked Jeronima, mentor to our very own Ana Teresa, to tell us what she thought the biggest obstacles to education for Mayan girls were. This is what she shared with us:

“Well, in most Mayan families there is the lack of economic resources to be able to send all their children to school. It’s not just the money that families have to pay for classes and materials, but it’s also the loss of income that the families would experience if their daughters studied instead of worked. Apart from the economic strain on families, a lot of parents don’t believe it is worth the investment to send their daughters to school. If it’s for their sons, yes, because they believe that the money he will earn in the future will most likely come back to the family, but if their daughter marries, the money she earns will most likely go to her husband’s family. Many Mayan people also lack experience in participating in groups or in educational settings, especially women, so it can be a bit intimidating for the girls to feel confident at school or really get involved.”

Jeronima continues to be a source of hope and an example in her community of how educating women can benefit families and communities. As a Starfish mentor, she helps girls face these obstacles and achieve their ultimate goal of getting an education.

Thank you, Jeronima! If only we could all be so fortunate to find such a great mentor.

 

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Stevie’s Race on Memorial Day is Extra Sweet–Here’s Why

Posted on May 17, 2013 by Nicki Brooks

Volunteer Stephanie Florence offered to interview another one of the Trailblazers participating in this spring’s RUN THE WORLD campaign. Wait till you hear how sweet Stephanie W.’s race is… and not just because she’s running it to help sponsor a girl in Tanzania.

Stephanie (but you can call her Stevie) Walker is a PR professional by day and world-changer by night. In true She’s the First fashion, we had to share what Stevie is the first to do — she’s the first in her family to live and work in New York City AND the first to work in PR. Check out her fundraising page; she’s running the Memorial Day Ice Cream Social 10k race around Roosevelt Island. Yes, you heard that right. The race ends with ice cream!

Name: Stephanie (Stevie) Walker
City: New York
Age: 23
Alma Mater: Gordon College
Profession: PR Professional
Tweet her: @BittyLeigh
Donate to her #RunSTF page

What are you the first to do? Or, what do you want to be the first to do?

I’m the first in my family to live and work in New York City, and the first to work in PR.

How are you helping girls to run the world?

I’m working with She’s the First to raise awareness of the program and I’ll be running a 10k in Roosevelt Island on Memorial Day this year!

What is your fundraising goal?

I set my goal at $500.

What’s a training tip or fitness that you’ve learned in the process of being part of the campaign?

The first step is always the hardest, but it’s always, always worth it.

Best piece of support/feedback/encouragement that you’ve received?

“You’re going to run further today than you did yesterday.” I tell myself that every morning.

Your power song?

I’m shameless – anything by Mika will do it.

Tell us about a girl sponsored by She’s the First who motivates you.

Eli from Tanzania inspires me – she isn’t afraid to give a voice to her dreams, and I love that! Check out a video from Eli and her friend, Glory, recorded when a friend of She’s the First went to visit them:

Posted in Run the World | Tagged | 1 Comment

Running Under the Stars for South Sudan

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Nicki Brooks

Cassandra Zink has been training for months for a pretty awesome race, called the Great Glow Run, which happens today, on May 11th! Cassandra will be one of 1,000 participants running under the stars, but she’ll likely be the only one in the field racing in the name of girls’ education for South Sudan! Ale Foresto interviews Cassandra about this amazing race, giving us all a little extra inspiration to cross a finish line for girls’ education.

Name: Cassandra Zink
City: Raileigh, N.C.
Age: 27
Alma Mater: UNC – Chapel Hill
Profession: Journalist
Tweet her: @iamcassandra
Donate to her #RunSTF page

What are you the first to do? Or what do you want to be the first to do?

I am the first graduate with a degree in journalism, with a women’s studies minor from UNC – Chapel Hill.

How are you helping girls to run the world?

I’m running the Great Glow Run, a nighttime 5K, in Raileigh on May 11th!

What is your fundraising goal?

My goal is to raise $500 to both sponsor a South Sudanese girl for one year with Project Education South Sudan, and also give a little extra to help She’s the First.

What’s a training tip or fitness that you’ve learned in the process of being part of the campaign?

I’ve learned that it’s important to listen to your body, but there are times you can tell your mind to KEEP GOING!

Best piece of support/feedback/encouragement that you’ve received?

I’ve made a lot of big changes this year, so when a very good friend donated $27, (my age,) I knew my life was moving in the right direction.

Your power song?

Kelly Clarkson’s “Stronger”

Tell us about a girl sponsored by She’s the First who motivates you.

I’m really impressed by Annah Angeth in South Sudan. Her dream to serve the world is very inspiring and humbling!

Annah Angeth, of South Sudan, is an honor student in the seventh grade.

Posted in Run the World | Leave a comment

Why Lorraine is Walking 10,000 Steps a Day

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Vivian Nunez

The RUN THE WORLD campaign is going strong in our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., thanks to Lorraine Brontë Magee! She is both walking AND running in hopes of raising $1,000 for girls at the Arlington Academy of Hope in Uganda. (She quickly met her original goal…so she decided to triple it!)

Lorraine is a true trailblazer, as the founding president of STF’s American University campus chapter. She recently organized She’s the First*{American}’s Walk the World Week, where she committed to walk 10,000 steps each day for five days. (The students had special She’s the First pedometers to track.) As a big finale, Lorraine will run a 5k race in June.

Lorraine ordered these pedometers for her chapter to use.

Name: Lorraine Brontë Magee
City: Washington D.C.
School: American University
Major: Elementary Education
Tweet her: @lorrainebronte
Donate to her #RunSTF page

How are you helping girls to run the world?

As a member of my college’s She’s the First chapter, I help U.S. students become advocates for girls’ education in the developing world.

What is your fundraising goal?

My fundraising goal started at $360, but as of today, friends have given over $820! I’m hoping to bring my total to $1,000 by the end of June.

What’s a training tip or fitness that you’ve learned in the process of being part of the campaign?

I love the quote “You’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem.” Training for my first 5k for the RUN THE WORLD campaign has taught me to believe in my own strength.

Best piece of support/feedback/encouragement that you’ve received?

I received an anonymous donation of $360, which is enough to sponsor a scholar  in Uganda for one year. I’m so inspired by that generosity!

Your power song?

I love running to “I Melt With You” by Modern English. Running to the beat keeps me on track, and I love the lyrics “the future’s open wide!”

Tell us about a girl sponsored by She’s the First who motivates you.

Rebecca at the Arlington Academy of Hope in Uganda is the first girl STF*{American} helped to sponsor. She wants to be a lawyer, and she motivates me every day!

Rebecca

Lorraine shares why she's passionate about education.

Posted in Run the World | Tagged | Leave a comment

Big News: You Can Now Sponsor Girls In The Gambia And Peru!

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Christen Brandt

Happy May 1st, STF supporters!

We have a huge announcement that we’ve been just bursting to tell you: We have two brand new partners! This means you can now sponsor girls in The Gambia and in Peru, bringing our global reach to ten countries and four continents. We’re expanding to new countries because this year alone, you’ve sponsored almost as many students as we sponsored all year in 2012. That’s a huge rate of growth, and we’re making sure we can keep up with you!

Here’s a little bit more about each of our new partners. (And of course, you can read about all of our partners on our directory page.)

Sacred Valley Project, Peru
The Sacred valley Project is a dormitory set up for students who come from Quechua­-speaking rural communities. The students stay at the dormitory and participate in artisanal workshops as well as nutrition and healthy cooking classes. They have weekly seminars on social issues and personal development, and professional tutors come in to give extra support in foundational subjects such as math, Spanish, and communications. They’re also implementing a peer-mentorship model for social support. Learn more here.

Starfish International, The Gambia
Starfish International is a mentorship program for girls attending secondary school in Lamin, The Gambia, where the average family lives on less than $1 per day. The goal is to instill the girls with five core values: Nobility, Independence, Courtesy, Knowledge, and Service. Each sponsored student receives academic tutoring and also learns entrepreneurial skills while she starts her own small business in one of these six areas: Soap-making, lotion-making, lip balm making, vegetable-gardening, photography, or bee-keeping. Learn more here.

We’ll be profiling the first two supporters to sponsor a full tuition at each of our new partners, and we can’t wait for you to get to know the students there (and vice versa). Let us know if you have any questions in the comments!

Posted in Peru, Sacred Valley Project, Starfish International, The Gambia | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Order a Mother’s Day E-card (Here’s Why It’s Extra Special)

Posted on April 30, 2013 by Melissa Basolo

This is the card we'll send to you recipients, along with your message and a link to the film "Magho"!

UPDATE: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR ORDERS! AS OF MAY 12th, 11:40AM: ANY NEW ECARD ORDERS WILL NOT BE SENT UNTIL LATE TONIGHT…BUT WE GRATEFULLY ACCEPT YOUR DONATIONS IN HONOR OF MOM!

Mother’s Day is around the corner (May 12th!), and we’ve got a new way to celebrate the leading ladies in your lives with She’s the First. To purchase an e-card, fill out this form.

What better way to say “I love you” or “You rock!” or simply “Thank you” than by giving the gift of education? Honor the great women in your life by helping to sponsor a girl in their name. When you donate $10, we’ll send them an e-card with your personalized message. Plus, they’ll receive an exclusive link to view our debut documentary, Magho (Daughter), a short film about the power of a mother to influence her daughter’s future.
Your donation directly sponsors a girl’s education (in fact, it goes straight to sponsor the star of the film!). Any additional donations you’d like to make will also go directly toward funding her educational costs.

Simply fill out this form. Then, we’ll send the card along with your personalized message and an access code to watch the film on Sunday, May 12th, at noon. (Deadline to submit: Sunday, May 12th at 10 a.m.)

We’re excited to help you recognize all the motherly figures in your lives!

To purchase an e-card: Fill out this form. [OUR TEAM IS SPENDING TIME WITH OUR MOMS! WE WON'T BE ABLE TO SEND OUT CARDS ORDERED ON MAY 12th UNTIL THIS EVENING.]
To learn more about the film Magho (Daughter): Click here.

Posted in Gifts That Give Back | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What Motivates Nicole to Run 13.1 Miles UPHILL?

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Nicki Brooks
Anna's inspiration: "Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must" - ultramarathon runner, Dean Karnazes

Nicole Jimenez

She’s the First is highlighting our top “trailblazers” — some ambitious athletes who are setting themselves up for fitness challenges (such as their first 5K or half marathon!) and asking friends and family to support with donations to sponsor a girl’s education. We guarantee you will be inspired to RUN THE WORLD with us after reading about them!

This week, our attention focuses on Nicole Jimenez, as she prepares to face 13.1 miles, mostly UPHILL, all in the spirit of bringing education opportunities to Guatemalan students, like Ana Teresa. Below, volunteer blogger Meaghan O’Connor catches up with Nicole to see what motivates her to endure the 13.1 climb up the North Face Challenge’s Half Marathon Bear Mountain…and we are sure Nicole will bring down the mountain!

Name: Nicole Jimenez
City: Ann Arbor
Age: 20
School: University of Michigan
Major: Athletic Training
Tweet her: @njimenez22
Donate to her #RunSTF page

How are you helping girls to run the world?
I promote health and wellness for female athletes through my athletic training major. On May 5th, I’m also trekking a full 13.1 miles in The North Face Challenge’s Half-Marathon up Bear Mountain in New York to RUN THE WORLD with She’s the First.

What is your fundraising goal?
My goal is to raise $300 to help sponsor one girl in a developing country to attain secondary education.

What’s a training tip or fitness that you’ve learned in the process of being part of the campaign?
I’ve learned how to better balance my hard runs and easy runs to make sure I get full rest between workouts!

Best piece of support/feedback/encouragement that you’ve received?
I watched a  documentary on Dean Karnazes (he ran 50 marathons in 50 days) and he said, “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must, but never, ever give up.”

Your power song?
My power song is “A Dios Le Pido” by Juanes.

Tell us about a girl sponsored by She’s the First who motivates you.
A girl who motivates me is Ana Teresa from Guatemala. As the oldest out of her seven siblings, she has worked a total of eight jobs to help her family and she loves to study. When her dad told her they didn’t have enough money to pay for her school, she began searching for other options and found Starfish One by One. Her determination to continue with her education motivates me to work harder to sponsor girls’ education in developing countries.

Nicole raced the Warrior Dash in preparation for her Half Marathon!

Ana Teresa, here with her family, is one of the lucky girls that Nicole is helping to receive a high school education

Posted in Run the World | Tagged | 1 Comment

Win $500 for You, $500 for Maheshwari!

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Vivian Nunez

Students: There’s a new opportunity for you to win a scholarship for yourself, while helping STF Scholar Maheshwari in India get one too! Zinch.com and Chegg have once again partnered with She’s the First to offer an inspiring student in the U.S. a $500 Run the World Scholarship!

Here’s how you can enter:

1. Go to http://www.zinch.com/partner/runtheworld

2. Let Zinch know why YOU run the world. What’s your motivation to run, or walk, that extra mile?

Why do we ask about running? Because as you probably know, this spring, She’s the First is using fitness to achieve our most ambitious campaign goal yet to sponsor girls’ education. We’re determined to raise $50,000 to sponsor 100 girls over the course of 100 days (lasting through June 30). Our Trailblazers have signed up to run races or donate proceeds from fitness classes. Each of them has a unique fundraising page at runtheworld.causevox.com.

Maheshawri is an amazing trailblazer in her own right. Her story is told in detail in She’s the First’s first-ever documentary, Magho. (Watch the trailer below!)

Mahesh is the first in her family to graduate from high school and consequently the first to attend college. She has big plans to finish university and become a cardiologist–this $500 will help her do it!

The contest opens April 23rd and you have until June 11, 2013 to get in your submission. Good luck!

Watch the trailer for Magho to “meet” Maheshwari:

 

Posted in Run the World | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

An Extra Dose of Fitness Motivation from Kenya!

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Elizabeth Stoltz

We know you’ve been training hard to support She’s the First Run the World campaign, so we figured you could use some motivation from our star students at the Kibera School for Girls! Over the past few weeks, we’ve shared with you their favorite sports as well as what motivates them to exercise. Below are more responses from fourth graders at KSG–in their own words–of why exercising is so important to them. How many reasons in common do you share?

Eunice

Who said running wasn't fun? (Photo credit: Kibera School for Girls' Facebook page)

Who said running wasn't fun? (Photo credit: Kibera School for Girls' Facebook page)

I think you should be fit and healthy because we get to share how we are feeling after doing exercise. We get to…

  • interact with other people
  • stretch out our muscles and get strong
  • be energetic and relax
  • kill boredom in our bodies
  • participate in everything we do in our class
  • co-operate and understand more
  • interact with other kids and get motivated
  • get psyched up

 

Emmaculate

Exercise is when we…

  • do yoga, do exercise, are strong, are energetic, [make] our muscles are strong, relax our minds, relax our boredom, concentrate in class, participate in something, are flexible to do something with your body, are psyched up in class or somewhere.

 

Lorna

Any readers out there willing to try this? (Photo credit: Kibera School for Girls' Facebook page)

Anyone willing to try this? (Photo credit: Kibera School for Girls' Facebook page)

It is important because…

  • we can be strong and healthy
  • we can be able to be known
  • we can be flexible and relax our muscles
  • kills our boredom so that we can be sensitive
  • it excites our mind and we are able to co-operate
  • we can be able to entertain other people
  • we can be energetic and be able to interest other people
  • we learn to know how we can be able to improve our exercise
  • we can be psyched up and be able to be a flexible person
  • we can know how we must be good exercisers
  • we can interact with other people and learn more exercise from them

 

Jesinter

All smiles at Summer Institute 2012! (Photo credit: Kibera School for Girls' Facebook page)

All smiles at Summer Institute 2012! (Photo credit: Kibera School for Girls' Facebook page)

To be useful to people, to learn about something that can help you when you are in trouble, to be relaxed and to be energetic, to have muscles, to be excited about what you are doing, to have muscle and to be energetic, to concentrate in class if the teacher is teaching, to not interrupt your teachers or students when you are learning, to co-operate in what you are doing, to remove boredom, to be constructive to what you are doing, to psyche up when you are in class, home, church, etc.

 

Lilian

It is important for me to be a healthy person because…

  • when I grow up I can be strong
  • I will be confident when I am talking
  • I will stand upright
  • I will be able to interact with other people
  • I will be able to co-operate with others
  • it will help me to have courage
  • it will help me to relax my mind
  • it will make my talents grow

Posted in Kibera School for Girls | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Anna’s 6th Half Marathon Sends a Girl to School

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Nicki Brooks

She’s the First is highlighting our top “trailblazers” — some ambitious athletes who are setting themselves up for fitness challenges (such as their first 5K or half marathon) and asking friends and family to support with donations to sponsor a girl’s education. We guarantee you will be inspired to RUN THE WORLD with us after reading about them!

This week, Trailblazer Anna Schilawski, grabs our attention. She recently completed the New York Road Runner’s More/Fitness Magazine Women’s Half Marathon in just 2:07:18. Not only did Anna complete the race but she also surpassed her fundraising goal by 10%! Curious about this inspiring young woman, I caught up with Anna to learn about her connection to She’s the First, and what’s making her RUN THE WORLD.

Name: Anna Schilawski
City: New York City
Age: 25
School: Indiana University
Profession: Manager of Digital Communications and Social Media for Maybelline, Garnier and essie
Tweet her: @annaschilawski
Donate to her #RunSTF page

What are you the first to do? Or, what do you want to be the first to do?

I was the first in my family to travel to Asia (for school) and Europe (for pleasure). I’ve grown very passionate about traveling the world and want to be the first to travel to Africa.

Anna (left) completing her first half-marathon! Pictured with running friend, Melissa Basolo.

How are you helping girls to run the world?
I ran my sixth half marathon, the New York Road Runner’s More/Fitness Women’s Half-Marathon on April 14th in New York City! I’m thrilled to have run with such an inspiring group and to have crossed the finish line.

 

What is your fundraising goal?

My goal is to raise $500 to help sponsor the education of young girls around the world!

What’s a training tip or fitness that you’ve learned in the process of being part of the campaign?

It’s important to “share” your progress on social media! Every tweet and #RunSTF mention counts.

 

Best piece of support/feedback/encouragement that you’ve received?
Find a “sweat sister” (or sisters!) to train with. It’s important to take a moment to reflect on each mile we run and dollar we raise to become a stronger person and team.

Your power song?

“I Love It” by Icona Pop.

Tell us about a girl sponsored by She’s the First who motivates you.

Rachael B, a 10 year old at the Arlington Academy of Hope in Uganda, motivates me! She has the most gorgeous smile and we share a favorite book in common, “Puss in Boots.” Watch this video about Rachael B’s school, Arlington Academy of Hope.

 

Rachael B. from Arlington Academy of Hope!

 

 

 

Posted in Run the World | Tagged | Leave a comment

What Inspires Girls at KSG to Exercise?

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Elizabeth Stoltz

Last week, we were delighted to share with you the Kibera School for Girls‘ favorite sports. Check them out here (sneak preview: basketball and netball were their favorites!). This week, we present their reasons for exercising! Without further ado, the responses below are from fourth graders at KSG–in their own words–who have plenty of inspiration to share with those participating in the She’s the First Run the World campaign.

Girls at KSG play on their new playground!

Girls at KSG play on their new playground!

Joyce:
It is important because you can be healthy and energetic. You can be important to other people. It kills boredom. It makes you to be relaxed. You can do exercise to be fit and healthy. It makes you feel better. It makes you to be attentive in whatever you are doing.It makes your muscles to be big and strong. It gives you power. You can be known all over the country. You can make sponsorship. It makes you feel excited. It makes you to be motivated. You can have a lot of fun. You can make friendship. You can interact with a lot of people and people would like to see you and talk to you.

Herenia:
So that you can…

  • kill your boredom, be strong, be flexible, be alive and live, stretch your muscles, co-operate with other people, participate in class, protect yourself, relax your body, concentrate in class and do not sleep, psyche up, listen in class, enjoy your life and live long, be healthy, not be sad

 

Velma:
It is good to be fit because you will be able to know more people and interact with them. It is good to be healthy because when you are not healthy you will not be able to do something good or even you can not be energetic. If you are not healthy, you can even not be able to cooperate or participate somewhere. You will not be able to even mix with people. You can be even very shy that you can’t talk in front of people. If you want to be healthy, you can try to do some exercises. You can even play so that you can kill your boredom. You can also realize some stress. If you are fit and healthy you will always be free and nothing bad will be going through your mind. It is always nice to be fit and healthy so that you can be very comfortable and free.

Yoga is just one of their many talents!

Yoga is just one of their many talents!

Jackline:
It is important because you need to…

  • be healthy and strong, be energetic and flexible, relax and interact with people, co-operate with your friends, do exercise and play games, concentrate and participate, fit in and not to become homesick, have psyche, relax

 

Angela:
Because…

  • you must be flexible, we must be strong and energetic, we must be excited,our muscles should be strong, exercise helps us to be strong, we need to relax and concentrate in class, we make our body to be flexible enough,we can also teach exercise when we are flexible, we now new things and new exercise, we feel strong in our body

 

Idah:
I think it is important because…

  • you will be flexible, you will relax your mind, you will grow to be healthy and strong, you will be energetic, you will cooperate with others, you will refresh your mind, you will not be bored, you will be motivated, you will not be weak, you will be psyched up

 

Beldin:
Because…

  • if I play I kill the boredom, I interact with other people like my schoolmates, I feel flexible when I do exercise and when I do yoga and also when I play games, I feel strong and muscles also feel strong.

Posted in Kibera School for Girls | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Rocking the More/Fitness Half Marathon for Girls’ Education!

Posted on April 15, 2013 by Nicki Brooks

Running for Roshni from Nepal, Tiffany set herself up for a 13.1 mile challenge

This week, we honor Tiffany Ayuda, who crushed the New York Road Runner’s 10th annual More Magazine/ Fitness Magazine Women’s Half Marathon on Sunday, her first-ever 13.1 miles to help girls like Roshni study in Nepal. Below, I found out what’s been powering Tiffany to lace up her sneakers.

Name: Tiffany Ayuda
City: New York
Age: 26
Alma Mater: Hofstra University
Profession: Online Editor/Journalist
Tweet her: @tayuda
Donate to her #RunSTF page

What are you the first to do?

I’m the first journalist/editor in my family. Growing up, I’ve always wanted to pursue a career in journalism, but I felt like I had a lot going against me, since most of my family members have established careers in business, engineering, and medicine. But I was determined to turn my goals into reality and follow my true passion. I want to build a career that I can be proud of in the future. Putting drive, focus, and confidence behind your goals is the first step in education, and that’s what I hope for all girls and women in the world.

Tiffany at the finish line!

I don’t consider myself to be a very good runner, so when I first signed up to do a half marathon, I had doubts about being able to finish the race. But I’ve been training very hard, and I think it goes to show that when you put your heart and mind into something, your body will take care of the rest.

What is your fundraising goal?

My goal is to raise $1,000, but I’m hoping to exceed that amount by June!

What’s a training tip or fitness that you’ve learned in the process of being part of the campaign?

It can sometimes be frustrating if you don’t immediately see progress in your training, but stick with it! When I first started running, I was out of breath within the first mile, but I kept at it. If I gave up, I would have never known that I could run as much as I do now.

Best piece of support/feedback/encouragement that you’ve received?

Chris McDougall, author of Born to Run, said “There’s something so universal about that sensation, the way running unites our two most primal impulses: fear and pleasure. We run when we’re scare, we run when we’re ecstatic, we run away from our problems and run for a good time.” I think running shows that when you put your mind to something, you can inspire your body to do things you never thought you could.

Your power song: “Wave” by Miike Snow

Tell us about a girl sponsored by She’s the First who motivates you:

Roshni from Nepal really inspires me because she traveled two days to take an admissions exam for school three different times before she got accepted. That takes sheer determination, hard work, and passion. I also admire her goals of becoming a doctor and opening a hospital in her community in the future.

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She’s the First Premieres Magho: A Documentary about Maheshwari

Posted on April 13, 2013 by Aishwarya Bhake

Last month, She’s the First had the distinct opportunity to premiere its FIRST EVER documentary, “Magho.” The documentary follows Maheshwari, a Shanti Bhavan senior, as she welcomes us into her home. The premiere event was held at the Centre for Social Innovation in New York City on March 21, 2013, to a standing-room-only crowd, and was followed by an extremely informative and inspiring Q&A with Christen Brandt and Kate Lord (the co-directors of the film) and Ajit George (Director of US Operations for Shanti Bhavan).

Maheshwari standing outside her family's home

As the film started rolling, we were greeted with an exceptional and moving original score, penned for this movie by Tom Richards. Through the film, we get a great peek into what Maheshwari’s life would have been had she not attended Shanti Bhavan starting at the age of four. We were introduced to her mother, who we see is in the process of making the most delicious meal ever, according to Christen. What’s particularly interesting about this documentary is that you can see just how different Maheshwari is from her mother as a result of her education. For one, Maheshwari is telling her story in English, a language she is fluent in, while her mother speaks in Tamil (a language Maheshwari also knows, making her bilingual!). Furthermore, in one of the more humorous moments, you see that mother and daughter have very different plans for Maheshwari’s future in regards to a husband! Meanwhile, Maheshwari speaks of her dreams of going to college, becoming a Cardiologist, and choosing her own husband when she is done with her education.

The film culminates in a very poignant and moving scene, in which you see Maheshwari donning a sari, slipping bangles over her henna-covered hands, and placing a bindi on her forehead. It’s a scene akin to one you would see in a wedding video, of the bride getting ready. Yet because of all the opportunity afforded to her through Shanti Bhavan, this 18-year-old is not getting married like the rest of the girls her age in her village. Instead, we see Maheshwari proudly walking across the stage as her name is called to collect her high school diploma; making her the first in her family to graduate.

The lovely producers, Kate Lord (left) and Christen Brandt (right), answering questions during the Q&A panel

If after reading this, you’re thinking to yourself “I wish I could have seen this, Maheshwari’s story is so inspiring!”, you’re in luck! She’s the First wants to share Magho with you! You can host your own screening and share Magho with your friends and community. Contact christen@shesthefirst.org for more details on how you can make this happen. All the proceeds from the documentary screenings will go towards Maheshwari’s college fund. At the premiere itself, we raised over $1,000, putting Maheshwari well on her way to realizing her dreams.

And of course, no She's the First event is complete without cupcakes! These are henna cupcakes made especially for this event.

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The Girls of South Sudan Have Exciting New Programs Coming Up

Posted on April 12, 2013 by MaryBeth Bognar

As my first post on Project Education South Sudan, I cannot even begin to share how inspiring speaking with one of the directors, Carol Rinehart, and learning about these girls has been. Whenever we have a Skype date scheduled I anxiously rush home from work to hear more about what these amazing girls are up to and learn about Carol’s travels to South Sudan as well. Though these girls have faced hardships recently, with violence close to the school, they anxiously await being able to go back to school at the end of April.

Meet some of the inspiring young ladies at Project Education South Sudan.

The girls have much to look forward to when they return to school, including finding out the results of their exams that they recently took. Last year 17 out of 23 girls graduated from primary school, in a country where just 0.8% of girls ever even attend primary school. There are also a few new amazing programs in the works that the girls will soon be able to immerse themselves in fully. Carol shared with me the following details about each of the areas that this new leadership program structure will cover:

The Girls’ Leadership Development (GLD) program is designed to support the education of young girls at Ayak Anguei Girls Primary Boarding School. The program will focus on a Student Leadership Program enhancing and educating young girls’ understanding of political participation, developing conflict resolution skills through the development of a more comprehensive student prefect school government program, developing decision-making and teambuilding skills, and supporting a healthier and more productive lifestyle for girls and their families through female health education.

Student Leadership Program: is to be implemented in Ayak Anguei Girls’ Primary School and will comprise of several learning components. Each component will integrate a holistic approach utilizing conflict resolution strategies. The development of this program draws upon CARE’s competency-based approach to leadership development, which focuses on developing a girl’s “power within” through the following characteristics: voice/assertion, decision-making, self-confidence, organization, and vision/ability to motivate others. By developing these competencies, girls are positioned to “gain public legitimacy” by developing social networks with other girls and community members and taking a civic action in the community. The student community civic action will be the implementation of a school community garden to demonstrate the CARE competency-based leadership components. It will include teacher and head master/matron leadership development, school prefect leaders & students, PTA, community elders, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Education.

Feminine Hygiene HIV/AIDS Education Program: is to be implemented at Ayak Anguei Girls Primary School with a focus to cut down on girls’ absenteeism due to monthly bleeding. Following a 2010-2012 distribution of reusable sanitary pads to girls, and completing a two year field study to measure the impact of pad use, there has shown measureable success in increased attendance. The implementation of the program consists of three educational components: 1) A reproductive health curriculum that addresses feminine hygiene and reproductive rights, 2) HIV/AIDS education, and 3) The implementation of a vocational training program that teaches girls how to sew their own sanitary pads and bring them to market.

The girls are incredibly excited to get back to school and start on these great opportunities that Project Education South Sudan is working on. I know that I cannot wait to hear more and more updates on how they are going and to tell all of you very soon!

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Run the World: A Record-Breaking First

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Elizabeth Stoltz
Katherine Spitzer defies the odds, becoming the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with an official number. Photo from 90.9 WBUR

Katherine Spitzer defies the odds, becoming the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with an official number. Photo from 90.9 WBUR

It was April 19, 1967, and athletes from across the country had been training for months in preparation for the nationally famous Boston Marathon. As the runners warmed up, preparing to endure the freezing sleet and rain that overshadowed Boston that day, they had no idea that their race would be one for the history books. There were 741 runners that day: 740 males and 1 female, Katherine Switzer. At the time, she was a 20-year-old journalism student at Syracuse University who was already making strides on the university’s male cross-country team (since no girls’ team existed).

At the time, marathons were for men. As former Boston Marathon race director put it in 1966, “women were not physiologically capable of running 26 miles, and furthermore, under the rules that governed international sports, they were not allowed to run” (qtd. in Gibb). Despite this deterrence, Katherine registered using her initials, K.V. Switzer. She pinned her number on her sweatshirt and was ready to run.

A few miles into the race, everything was fine – her fellow runners applauded her for joining the marathon and she was feeling good. However, four miles in, she was suddenly surrounded by the photo press truck and being chased down by a man from the Boston Athletic Association. He screamed at her to get out of the race, and then grabbed her shirt hoping to pull off her number and restrain her from running another step. However, despite this physical assault and being bombarded by accusatory questions from the press truck, Katherine powered on.

She kept running and running, conquering the infamous Heartbreak Hill, ignoring the cold, the blisters, and the people who told her she didn’t belong there. She kept going and going, powering past the finish line where she was met with a bevy of rain-soaked reporters. Katherine made history: She was the first female to run the Boston Marathon with a race number.

In Katherine’s words, “Part of what made the Boston Marathon special to me was its historical importance. I had no idea I was going to become part of that history. I wasn’t running Boston to prove anything; I was just a kid who wanted to run her first marathon.”

For Katherine, her path to becoming a first was paved by another first, Roberta Gibb, the first woman to finish the marathon — but without an official race number. As she ran, Roberta recognized the obligation she had to all women, saying, “I was running conservatively because I knew that if I failed to finish I would reinforce the prejudices and set women’s running back another 20 years.” Roberta writes that her jumping in the Boston Marathon sparked “a pivotal point in the evolution of social consciousness. It changed the way men thought about women, and it changed the way women thought about themselves. It replaced an old false belief with a new reality.”

As we all prepare to lace up our shoes and pound the pavement to support girls’ education through the She’s the First Run the World campaign, it’s an incredible thing to remember that we can be the first to someone too, and other women’s firsts will inspire us to conquer new challenges. In the case of Roberta, Catherine, and all record-breaking women to follow their earth-shaking footsteps, these firsts have opened up new doors to women worldwide.

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Climbing Mountains to Sponsor a Girl’s Education in Guatemala

Posted on April 11, 2013 by Tammy Tibbetts

What does it mean to RUN THE WORLD? This spring, it means that you’re joining She’s the First to sponsor 100 girls’ educations in developing nations, within 100 days–an ambitious feat, but we can do it, one race and one fitness class at a time!

To inspire you to reach your fundraising and athletic goals for the RUN THE WORLD campaign, each week we will be highlighting one of our “Trailblazers”–next week, it could be you! First up, we have Elizabeth Rich, who’s already a star because MTV wrote about her. Below, our volunteer blogger Nicki Brooks finds out why she signed up to do a half marathon…UP A MOUNTAIN.

Name: Elizabeth Rich
City: Ann Arbor
Age: 21
School: University of Michigan
Title: Student of International Studies: Global Environment and Health
Tweet her: @LizardRich
Donate to her #RunSTF page

What are you the first to do?
I am the first in my family to teach in Africa.

How are you helping girls to run the world?
I am running my first half marathon, the Bear Mountain Half Marathon, on May 5th in New York!

The elevations Elizabeth will be climbing

What is your fundraising goal?
My goal is to raise $300, the cost of tuition for one girl at Starfish One by One School.

What’s a training tip or fitness that you’ve learned in the process of being part of the campaign?
I learned that it’s important to log those miles! I try to run everyday, because every mile counts! [Editor's Note: You can track your miles in the CharityMiles app. A quarter is donated for every mile to a good cause of your choice! She's the First will be an option come June 1st.]

Best piece of support/feedback/encouragement that you’ve received?
The support from my family and friends has been overwhelming!

Your power song: Gnarls Barkley’s “Run (I’m a Natural Disaster)”

Tell us about a girl sponsored by She’s the First who motivates you:
The girls at Starfish One by One School motivate me. My chapter of She’s the First at the University of Michigan sponsors girls from this school and it is very exciting to see the mentorship and opportunities that these girls are given through this amazing school and the women that run it.

Meet one of them here:

My chapter of She’s the First motivates me to promote our mission. Our opportunities as students at the University of Michigan reminds me how powerful an education can be.

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Sun Salutations to Soccer: Getting Fit at the Kibera School

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Elizabeth Stoltz

 

All smiles at the Kibera School for Girls!

All smiles at the Kibera School for Girls!

Whether they’re practicing down dog at yoga class or are taking their new playground by storm, it’s no secret that the girls at the Kibera School for Girls know a thing or two about getting fit and having fun. When I asked Alix Haber, Kibera School for Girls’ Postgraduate Fellow, how the students work physical activity into their already busy day, she thought it’d be best to let the students speak for themselves. I couldn’t agree more! Over the next couple of days, we’ll be sharing with you the 3rd and 4th graders’ responses on their favorite sports and why it’s important to exercise, all in honor of She’s the First Run the World campaign.

Below, we’re happy to share with you – in their own words – what 3rd graders at KSG say is their favorite sport!

Elvin – My best sport is basketball because it makes me flexible and strong. It teaches me how to dribble and people earn a lot of money.

Christian - My best sport is basketball because it makes me flexible and when you play basketball you dribble and throw the ball in the net. You can be a good player and become a hero. And it makes me active.

Gloria – My best sport is netball because it makes me cheerful and also when I play I get hurt then I start being strong. It makes me flexible. I also like because when I play I make a lot of scores. When I play I don’t want the other group to score. When I play I don’t get tired. It makes my thighs to be strong and it also makes me comfortable. I enjoy playing netball.

Tracy – My best sport is basketball because it teaches me how to dribble. I love it very much because when you play it makes you feel flexible and hot and it also teaches me how you can do chest pass and you enjoy.

Selma – I like basketball because it makes you strong. I like basketball so much and it is my best sport. Basketball is so important to me, and makes me feel happy when I play!

Susan – The sports that I like is basketball because I learn a lot of things in the sport and also it makes my body flexible.

 

One of the students' favorite sports in action.

One of their favorite sports in action.

Makesh – I like netball because it makes me flexible. It makes me active and also I can teach other people and get money.

Martha – My best sport is netball, because it helps me to be strong and it helps my thighs to be strong. Netball helps me to be flexible. Netball is whereby you pass from one team to the centre and from the centre to the other team. I also enjoy netball because it makes me know how to pass the ball from my chest.

Cinderella – I like netball because I can play it. I am able to score and even netball can make me strong.

Vanessa – I like playing netball because it releases my stress and it makes my body to be flexible. I also enjoy playing with my teammates.

Marion – I like playing netball. It is the best game that I have ever played and also it makes me strong and flexible.

Mollet – I like basketball because I dribble the ball and pass it to my teammates. It also makes my thigh flexible. When I jump to the basket I feel happy that am going to make a basket. I enjoy playing basketball.

Having fun on the slide.

Having fun on the slide!

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We’re Making a Commitment at Clinton Global Initiative U!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Tammy Tibbetts

From April 5-7, She’s the First will be attending Clinton Global Initiative U for the first time! To learn more about our Commitment as an organization, please visit our CGI U 2013 page. Below, allow me to introduce you to the She’s the First campus leaders joining Christen Brandt, our Director of International Operations, in St. Louis!

Meaghan O’Connor, University of Michigan

Meaghan will organize groups of students around the globe who will make and sell handmade jewelry—using beads made from recycled magazine paper—and will teach these groups about how jewelry can help raise money for educational scholarships. Her U.S.-based groups will create instructional videos, along with magazine bead making kits, to send to a She’s the First partner school—with the opportunity for these young women to create jewelry to finance their own education.

 

Becca Wertheim, University of North Carolina-Asheville

Becca has created GOAL Getters, an engaging Social Studies curriculum for elementary school students that integrates global education, leadership skills, and service work while teaching kids how to problem-solve and work toward resolving some of the biggest global issues. Students will learn about education around the world while working toward their essential service goal of fundraising to sponsor a girl’s education in a developing country for one year.

Elizabeth Rich, University of Michigan

Elizabeth Rich will launch the “Read-A-Thon for More Reading,” a partnership of She’s the First at the University of Michigan with the Girl Scouts in the Ann Arbor area. Each Girl Scout will log every hour of reading and ask friends, family, and teachers to give her pledges based on each hour they read. Proceeds will sponsor girls’ education with She’s the First.

Maisy Page, Nova Southeastern University

Maisy will manage a launch a campaign called “Run the World: 5ks Sending 5 Girls to School” with the goal of raising money to send girls to school in the developing world, while guiding teen girls in her own community to improve their own health and wellness as they learn global awareness. Maisy Page will be running five 5ks in 2013 to raise money to send 5 girls to school in 5 different countries.

We’ll also be with Lindsay Brown and Katie Kenney from She’s the First*{Notre Dame}, who are making a Commitment to Action with The SEGway Project, using soccer to empower adolescent girls in the developing world, some of whom She’s the First sponsors in Nepal. (You may recognize Lindsay as the creator of our tie-dye cupcake craze and winner of Seventeen‘s Pretty Amazing reader cover contest last year!)

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#AliciaDedicates a Song to @shesthefirst!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Shes the First Team

#AliciaDedicates a song to @shesthefirst!

“For every night on my tour starting tonight my fam can tweet in their section/row/seat number with the hash tag #AliciaDedicates for a chance to have me dedicate a song to them! I’ve loved getting to know you over the last couple of years on Twitter and now I want to show you some love!” – Alicia

Storified by She’s the First· Thu, Mar 28 2013 05:37:55

On March 27 in Cherokee, South Carolina, Alicia Keys dedicated “If I Ain’t Got You” to @shesthefirst! She heard your voices on Twitter! Alicia previously tweeted in support of @shesthefirst during the American Giving Awards, presented by Chase on NBC–and we are so grateful for her continued support!
Coming to the #AliciaCH show?! Tweet ur section/seat/row w/ #AliciaDedicates & maybe I’ll sing you a song ;-) <a href="http://t.co/GTFJIWbukP" class="">bit.ly/WIp9AG</a>Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys – Tweet Your Seataliciakeys
Yes, it really happened:
Thank you so much @aliciakeys for dedicating your song "If I Ain’t Got You" to @shesthefirst at your show tonight in Cherokee! We love you!She’s the First
How? It’s all because of She’s the First*{University of North Carolina-Asheville} president Becca Wertheim! She was attending the concert and rallied the troops on Twitter.
Hey @shesthefirst family- @aliciakeys saw our tweets and dedicated her song to us!!!! Thank you so much to everyone who tweeted :) Becca Wertheim
Amazing!!!!! @aliciakeys #AliciaDedicates <a href="http://t.co/2PgCYLaM4I" class="">pic.twitter.com/2PgCYLaM4I</a>Becca Wertheim
AMAZING show tonight #AliciaCH! @aliciakeys you’re incredible! Thank you again for dedicating to @shesthefirst! It means so much to us :) Becca Wertheim
Hey @aliciakeys we’re here!!! :) #AliciaDedicates For @shesthefirst Sec 405/Row E/Seat 3 <a href="http://t.co/Pe2XBWKUA3" class="">pic.twitter.com/Pe2XBWKUA3</a>Becca Wertheim
I don’t want a dedication for myself, I want one for all the @shesthefirst ladies who dedicate their life to helping women! #AliciaDedicatesBecca Wertheim
Tweet #AliciaDedicates and let her know that you appreciate her support for @shesthefirst! We’d love a song dedicated <a href="http://t.co/hJ9Th5heXI" class="">pic.twitter.com/hJ9Th5heXI</a>Becca Wertheim
There were SO many tweets to ask Alicia for this dedication. Here are just a few. Thank you, everyone!
You’re a "Girl on Fire" @aliciakeys! Thanks for dedicating a song to @shesthefirst + #girlseducation at your show tonight. #AliciaDedicatesShelley Tibbetts
Thanks @aliciakeys for your continued support of @shesthefirst and #girlseducation!!Elizabeth Stoltz
Class act 4 sure. "Thank you so much @aliciakeys for dedicating "If I Ain’t Got You" to @shesthefirst at your show tonight in Cherokee!"Kaitlin Hasseler
Hoping @aliciakeys dedicates a song to @shesthefirst at her concert tonight in Cherokee! Sec 405, Row E, Seat 3 #AliciaDedicatesJesseca Ryan
I really hope @aliciakeys dedicates her song to @shesthefirst at her concer tonight in Cherokee! Sec 405, Row E, Seat 3 #AliciaDedicatesIpsita Rao
So excited about this concert! Thank you @aliciakeys for supporting @shesthefirst & helping us send girls to school! #AliciaDedicatesBecca Wertheim
Maybe this was a sign? :)  
I heard Girls on Fire by our girl @aliciakeys this morning. Of course I thought of @tammytibbetts and the gals of @shesthefirst!Stephanie Florence

And here’s the tweet from Alicia Keys in December 2012 that we’ll never forget!

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