Reporting on Directory Partners

The Importance of Mentors at Starfish One by One

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

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!

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An Extra Dose of Fitness Motivation from Kenya!

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

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What Inspires Girls at KSG to Exercise?

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.

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The Girls of South Sudan Have Exciting New Programs Coming Up

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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Sun Salutations to Soccer: Getting Fit at the Kibera School

 

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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From Duck, Duck, Goose to Dancing: Getting Fit with Selamta

This is how the students at Selamta get fit...how do you?

This is how the students at Selamta get fit...how do you?

As runners across the country lace up for She’s the First Run the World campaign to sponsor 100 girls in 100 days, I started to get curious. How do girls at our partner schools fit in their daily exercise? Over the years, I’ve come to learn more about yoga classes and circus camp at the Kibera School for Girls and dancing at the Selamta Family Project, so I knew the girls’ answers would be creative!

Immediately after posing this question to Alix, Kibera School for Girls’ Postgraduate Fellow and Mia Brown, Selamta’s Volunteer Coordinator and Sponsorship Manager, I was thrilled to receive excited responses. Thus, this begins a two-part series on how girls in Ethiopia and Kenya fit in some fun and fitness.

Girls at Selamta practice their dance moves

Girls at Selamta practice their dance moves.

Dancing is one of the favorites for the students at Selamta, and a regular pastime for many Ethiopians. I remember during my trip to Ethiopia years ago, I came across a wedding party and was amazed by how beautiful the dancing was. It was like nothing I’d seen at my own family’s weddings, and as Mia says, “It’s fun to watch and embarrassing to try to imitate.” Though the dancing varies across the country, it is largely unified by the emphasis on shimmying shoulder movements and the upper body. Dancing in Ethiopia is rhythmic, expressive and distinctive. It’s truly incredible to watch, and I’d love to be able to see the girls at Selamta in action as they showcase their skills at Selamta Idol!

Even when it’s not designated playtime, students at Selamta remain active. They regularly lend a hand with chores around their constellation home and hand-wash their clothes each week (a workout in itself!) As they walk to and from school, the market and friends’ homes, the girls at Selamta often walk arm-in-arm.

From soccer to swimming and duck, duck goose to dancing, the girls at Selamta love to play. Whether they’re jumping rope or testing their balance at weekly circus and gymnastics lessons, these girls, as Mia reports, “bend, stretch and balance” their way to getting strong and healthy.

Like the girls at Selamta show us, exercise can be fun and it can help you learn a new skill, but more often than not, it’s best enjoyed with friends.

Walking home with friends after an afternoon of jump-roping

Walking home with friends after an afternoon of jump-roping.

 

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Letter from Mekdes, Selamta’s First University Student!

Mekdes is all smiles at Gondar University!

Mekdes is all smiles at Gondar University!

In December, we were thrilled to share with you the story of Mekdes, Selamta Family Project’s first
 student to pursue higher education! Last week, Mekdes was kind enough to find time in her busy schedule to share with us her first experiences at Gondar University. Below is a letter she sent to Selamta. Leave a comment below to let Mekdes know that we’re all wishing her the best of success at university!

First of all I would like to thank you again for helping me be who I am today and join campus. Before I joined university people were telling me how much hard and challenging campus life could be. So I was very terrified. But what I found in reality is very different. Campus life is not that much difficult. I also realized that if I work hard in my studies I will get good grades.

The other important thing in campus life is having a good self esteem. Otherwise many things can get in our way and distract us from achieving our dream.

The other interesting thing in campus is the different trainings that we get besides the formal education. Among these trainings let me tell you about the training on leadership that I am participating in. This training basically gave us the different mechanisms on how we can acquire the skill of leadership. It gives especial emphasis for women. It enables us to build self confidence, express our ideas freely, participate in different leadership activities and help us to develop various good study techniques. I think leadership skill training is very important for women in Ethiopia. It helps us to own the confidence to be a leader in spite of the bad cultures in our society which undermines women.

Finally, I would like to pass my gratitude to my Selamta family and I really wish my younger brothers and sisters could study hard and join campus like me. Within the next few years, I hope to be successful in my studies and serve Selamta using the knowledge that I acquired.

I wish you a long healthy life! Let God be with Selam!

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Starfish Girls Learn Lessons in Family Planning

Remember when you were in high school and had to take care of a sack of flour for home ec class? That sack of flour was supposed to simulate what it would be like to have a baby and teach responsibility, sacrifice and accountability. Starfish students recently got a taste of that very experience we’ve all had, albeit with a high-tech electronic baby. Check out a Starfish volunteers account of the experience!

Starfish students pose with a swaddled electronic baby

Last week, Starfish One by One held its 4th annual two-day Student Leadership Summit. The summit is a time when students from all four of Starfish sites and all the mentors and staff get together to celebrate, share, engage, and even select the Starfish “queen,” the student who best embodies the Starfish values. This year, amid all of the usual chatting, giggling, and singing, there was another sound – the crying of 15 simulation infants.

“The hardest thing about it was that when the ‘baby’ started crying, I wasn’t sure exactly what it wanted,” said one Starfish student (translated, of course!). The simulation infants, provided by Juventud Despierta and PROGRA.JOVEN, local NGOS, were designed to educate teens on what it takes to truly care for an infant.

Norma Bajan, country director for Starfish, reflected that while at home many Starfish students do care for their younger siblings, they don’t always understand what it takes to be a full-time mom. Their moms take care of the little ones when they are sick or get up in the middle of the night.

During the folkloric dance, a highlight of the student leadership summit, all of the babies began to cry. Students had to run out of their positions in the dance to care for the infants. Many students were very upset because they had rehearsed and prepared for months before the dance.

At the end of the summit, the students and their mentors evaluated how they did with the babies by looking at the read-outs on how often the babies cried, how long it took for them to receive care, and how well their needs were attended. Some students were irresponsible with their babies and upset to have to deal with the inconvenience.

“The message is clear: At this age, you just aren’t ready yet to be parents,” said Norma. The activity was fun and engaging, but more than that, gave Starfish students and their mentors a clear experience to reflect on when it comes to family planning and relationships.

Two Starfish students caring for an electronic baby: lesson learned!

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Even on Break, AAH Girls Find Ways to Inspire

As a new member to the She’s The First dream team, I couldn’t wait to dive in and learn more about the girls at Arlington Academy of Hope in Uganda. After studying public advocacy and focusing on Africa in my studies, the people I met, materials that I learned, and events I participated in took a strong hold on my heart. Moving to New York City I made sure to keep this a part of my life by volunteering both in the city and during a summer trip to Ghana. Now, as a Researcher for She’s The First, I am able to continue this connection through Arlington Academy of Hope.

I was a little nervous at first calling the ladies who coordinate the school. But as soon as they picked up the phone, they were welcoming and excited to not only meet me, but to talk on and on about the girls. I made this call during my lunch hour from work, and it immediately turned my rainy Monday around. The stories they told and girls they bragged about were incredibly inspiring. Feeling goosebumps several times throughout the call, I couldn’t help but think about how our talks in the future would be and how lucky I was to hear from them how these girls are growing and thriving.

A couple girls reading 1 of their 50 books for the AAH reading program.

Currently in Uganda, students are on their breaks from school. Typically the school year ends in November and picks back up in late January or early February. However, this doesn’t mean the girls aren’t staying active. During their break, they take on service projects in their communities. This can include a variety of activities such as cleaning schools or helping other girls prepare for school. These projects gives off a “pay it forward” vibe by not only making the girls feel a special sense of pride and positivity, but also allowing the support they receive from their sponsors to go even further by stretching beyond the girl and onto the good she does for her community.

Before school ended, the girls completed a reading project. This is a program that started here in the United States at their sister school Arlington Traditional School. Every girl reads 50 books from summer on to the end of the school year. This allows them to build their reading and English skills. The girls absolutely love the program and can often be found throughout the school busily reading their books even during breaks or meals. The program ends with end of the year celebrations and awards.

Photo of Aziza (left) from New Vision, Uganda's national paper Jan 25, 2013.

As I mentioned before, just because the girls are on break from school does not mean they’re on a break from being incredible. In fact, just this past week Aziza K., age 14, was featured in Uganda’s national newspaper New Vision. Aziza spoke about the confidence the school has brought to her and promised:

“I have heard a lot of stories concerning corruption involving accountants in public offices. I want to join the profession to make a positive change.”

Isn’t that awesome?

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Want to Spend the Summer in Kibera?

Photo Credit: Kibera School for Girls

Applications are now open to live, work and learn at the Kibera School for Girls. Photo Credit: Kibera School for Girls

Can you imagine a more rewarding summer than spending it with the wonderful young ladies at the Kibera School for Girls? Once again, our partner school in Kenya is inviting college students to apply for the opportunity to teach and learn from the KSG community.

Since the Summer Institute’s beginning, the program has served as an incredible opportunity to connect civic-minded and engaged college students with girls who attend the Kibera Schools for Girls. Not only do participants assist with tutoring and mentoring, but they’ll be called upon to bring their passions to the classroom by exploring workshop topics of their own choice with the young girls. Weekends are spent exploring Nairobi and surrounding areas with other Kenyan and American college students.

The work is challenging, deeply meaningful and impactful and we at She’s the First are sure it will be as much of an opportunity to teach as it is to learn. If you are an undergraduate or recent graduate who is open to expanding your comfort zone and committed to women’s empowerment and education, please consider applying!

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but ultimately due by March 1, 2013. Applying early is highly encouraged. For more information on the application process, please visit here.

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Selamta Sends Its First Student to University!

Mekdes, Selamta Family Project's first graduate to attend university!

Mekdes, Selamta Family Project's first graduate to attend university!

A few weeks ago, a message landed in my inbox that completely defines what She’s the First is all about. Mekdes, a student at Selamta Family Project, recently graduated high school and is now settling into life as a university student at Gondar University, making her the first student from Selamta to attend higher education!

Mekdes is pursuing a degree in psychology and is currently enrolled in English, Information Technology, Logic and Intro to Psychology courses. Though her busy course-load and adjustment into college fill up most of her time, she’s eager to join a church fellowship.

She hopes that her background in psychology will allow her to help people. However, Mekdes clearly doesn’t need a degree in psychology to do just that. As the sole caregiver for her younger sister, Mekdes balanced being an incredible sister, powerful role model and hardworking student.

Mekdes values education because she sees it as a way “to acquire more knowledge so that she can be independent and self-sufficient.” When asked what her advice is to younger girls, she advises them “to work hard in high school and finish the courses the need in order to move on to higher education in order to be independent.”

Later in the year, Mekdes will send us updates about life at Gondar University. We at She’s the First want to send her our best wishes for what we’re sure will be a tremendous experience! If you want to pass on your congratulations and support, do so in the comment box and we’ll make sure to pass on your well wishes to Mekdes.

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It’s Graduation Season in Guatemala

Editor’s Note: This is a post from guest blogger Linnea, a volunteer who teaches English in Guatemala at the Starfish schools.

Linnea stands with proud 9th grade graduates at their ceremony

Buenos dias!
I’d like to explain to you what graduation season means here in Guatemala. We all know what it is like in the United States: greeting cards, caps and gowns, parties and celebrations, gifts and graduates getting jobs or continuing their education. In Guatemala, it’s a little different.

Guatemalans definitely know how to celebrate a graduation. As a teacher in the schools here in Sololà, Guatemala, and someone who works with Starfish, I have had the distinct pleasure of attending a few graduations. The school puts on a ceremony where the students are introduced and the parents are presented. The student receives a diploma, a few people speak about the importance of continuing education, members of the audience can be seen sneaking in some shuteye during the speakers, and then everyone eats tamales and drinks very sweet, diluted coffee. Personally, I love it.

I recently was chosen to be the master of ceremonies and the keynote speaker of a graduation in the rural village of Buena Vista where several Starfish students are enrolled. The director came up to me while I was hanging balloons and handed me the program of the ceremony and pointed to line number six where it said, “Profesora de ingles, Seño Linnea Joffe, palabras de intervenciòn,” In English that means that I had some pretty important roles to fill. I quickly wrote out some inspirational words and tried to think of something witty and funny to say. The majority of parents at this school only speak Kaqchikel, and seeing as my Kaqchikel is limited to a few choice vocabulary words, I delivered my speech in Spanish and mostly to the student population.

Starfish has graduates at all levels. Middle schoolers, especially those sponsored by Starfish, are going to continue studying so they are right now choosing their career path. High schoolers are now equipped with a vocation and looking for a job. Either way, graduating at any level is a big deal as all of these Starfish students are the first in their families to graduate, and that is something to be proud of. These students are probably not going to receive the gifts and cards and level of praise that students in the United States do, but they deserve it just as equally, if not more.


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Interview with Lilian, Prefect at Kibera

 

Lilian, a first grader at Kibera, wants to be an artist when she grows up...we think she already is!

Lilian, a first grader at Kibera, wants to be an artist when she grows up...we think she already is!

And now, for the third and final installment of our introduction to the student leaders (see the first two here and here) at the Kibera School for Girls. As a quick refresher, Kibera recently started a new leadership program for its students. In it, the school calls on different first, second and third graders to serve as prefects, deputy head girls and head girls. Lilian, a first grader at Kibera, completed her term as prefect this year and I’m excited to introduce you to her. She may be young, but not for a second does she let that stand in the way of her ability to look out for and work with her peers. Between her desire to be an artist and her excitement in being a leader, she clearly channels creativity and confidence. I’m excited to see what Lilian accomplishes during her time at Kibera and beyond!

Can you tell us a little bit about your ‘typical day’ as prefect? What kind of responsibilities do you have?

When I am in class and the people are there, if they are making noise I tell them to keep quiet. If they are making noise, I tell them that they need to stop.

How do you work together with the deputy head girls and head girl?

I work with them – if somebody is misbehaving I take them to the deputy head girl and head girl.

What’s your favorite part of the prefect job?

My favorite part of the job is when people are making noise, then I take them to the teacher or headmistress.

What is the hardest part about being prefect?

When people are making noise, and I have to tell them to keep quiet and they make noise again.

If you had to give a piece of advice to next week’s prefect, what would you tell them?

I will tell her that I was the prefect and I want you to lead people nicely.

How did it make you feel to be selected prefect?

I felt happy and I was excited.

What did you learn about your school when you were prefect that you didn’t know before?

If someone is misbehaving, you should take them to the deputy head girl or head girl.

On top of being prefect, you have lots of classes to take too! What’s your favorite part of the school day?

My favorite part of the school year is the Summer Institute. My favorite subject is art. I like to draw and make dolls using lassos.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be an artist.

 

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Interview with Christian, Deputy Head Girl at Kibera

Check out Christian's deputy head girl pin!

Check out Christian's deputy head girl pin!

We’ve already written about the Kibera School for Girls’ new leadership program through the eyes of Natasha, a third grader who did a phenomenal job as head girl for the month. It was great to see all of the positive encouragement sent her way, and it makes me even more excited to introduce you now to Christian, a second grade student at KSG. As deputy head girl, Christian was also selected to lead her classmates for the month. She worked with that month’s head girl to help their fellow students follow the rules and shine as examples of respect and friendship. Like the deputy head girl, Christian was pleased to share her experience and deputy head girl observations through a speech presented to her classmates.

Christian dreams of defending those in Kibera through a law degree, and loves that being deputy head girl allowed her to make sure her classmates “love each other and help each other to do the work.” Read more about her experience being deputy head girl below!

Christian shares, in her own words, her experience being deputy head girl:

Can you tell us a little bit about your ‘typical day’ as deputy head girl? What kind of responsibilities do you have?

I behave well, I make sure the girls go to the hall when the come to school. I have them come with handkerchiefs, and to have good manners.

How do you work together with the head girl and prefects?

We love each other and we help each other to do the work.

What’s your favorite part of the deputy head girl job?

My favorite thing about being the deputy head girl is that the deputy head girl is the one who takes care of the school.

What is the hardest part about being deputy head girl?

Sometimes some people are hard to work with because they disturb you. They run in the hall when you tell them to stop it. And they fight and pour water along the corridor. Sometimes you get annoyed because they disturb.

If you had to give a piece of advice to the next deputy head girl, what would you tell them?

If somebody does not listen to them they need to find a way to make that person understand them.

How did it make you feel to be selected deputy head girl?

I was feeling happy because you were standing with the prefects.

What did/will you tell your classmates during your speech?

I said that they should have respect and obey the prefects and not to fight.

What did you learn about your school when you were deputy head girl that you didn’t know before?

I’ve learned that the deputy head girl has some challenges.

On top of being deputy head girl, you have lots of classes to take too! What’s your favorite part of the school day?

My favorite part of the day is when the girls behave well and do not disturb and not to give me challenges.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be a lawyer to defend the people in Kibera.

Isn’t she cute? Did any of you have leadership roles when you were in grade school?

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2012 Starfish Graduate: Celena

The Starfish students have been hard at work wrapping up their school year. One girl in particular, Celena, is eagerly looking forward to her graduation! Check out what Darcy from Starfish One by One has to say about her students.

“As the leaves turn and school starts in the United States, our students in Guatemala are wrapping up their school year, which runs from January through October. Twelve Starfish students will be graduating from high school this fall, gaining a position as the most educated members of their communities and certainly the most educated women. We are so proud of these students who have worked so hard for twelve years so that they can walk at graduation.

Celena, the proud graduate

One of our 2012 Starfish graduates is Celena. Celena and her twin sister Yolanda were among the first young women to join Starfish when the project launched in 2008.  Like so many of her peers in Guatemala, Celena faced tremendous discrimination for being poor, indigenous, rural, and a woman – less than 5% of indigenous girls in Guatemala even complete elementary school. At the time, Celena herself questioned if she would be able to continue her schooling beyond 7th grade because of what is commonly known as the “double burden” that a girl’s secondary school represents for her family.  This refers to the increased costs of her schooling plus the lost opportunity costs of her performing the majority of the household chores.  Celena’s parents, neither of which completed primary school, were struggling financially with the costs of providing for their 5 children.  Celena’s future was in jeopardy.

But now, Celena graduates high school this month and will be among the first women to do so in her community. She has organized an initiative to clean up a littered vacant lot in her community all day every Saturday and Sunday  while going to school full time.  At home, Celena regularly tutors her younger sister and helps her parents’ access previously unknown resources like health systems and banking.   In her mentorship sessions, she has honed her leadership skills and defined her ambitions for the future.  She is currently applying for university scholarships to pursue her degree in teaching.  Celena is also training to be the next Starfish One by One mentor.  All the best to Celena, who will put her knowledge and experience to use to unlock the potential of other young women in Guatemala.”

Talk about the “upward ripple effect” of girls’ education! Celena uses what she learned at Starfish to teach her parents about things like access to healthcare and banking and also tutors her younger siblings who don’t have the opportunity to go to school. Celena is living proof that if you educate one girl, you educate an entire community!

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Interview with Natasha, Head Girl at Kibera

Natasha, a third grader at Kibera, shares her thoughts on being head girl with She's the First blog readers

As I think back to my elementary school days, I remember one of the highlights was getting to be a safety in sixth grade. Considered the highest of honors among my peers, serving as a safety meant getting out of class a few minutes early at the end of the day so I could lead my fellow bus-mates to bus #42. I made sure everyone got on and off safely, and that everybody stayed in line and sat in the right row on the playground. I proudly wore my fluorescent yellow safety badge and took great pride in my near flawless track record.

Because of my fond memories of “safety days,” I was delighted to hear that the Kibera School for Girls recently introduced a program very similar to the one I experienced. Though the mark of distinction is different (they opted for the more subtle pin instead of overly-flashy yellow badges), Kibera’s new program is similar in that it fosters leadership and listening among its students. Each month, a third grade student is selected to serve as head girl and a second grade student serves as deputy head girl. Each month, a different girl from each class is picked to serve as class prefect. Together, these girls make sure their classmates follow school rules and encourage their peers to show kindness and respect to one another. At the end of the month, each head girl and deputy head girl delivers a speech to their classmates.

This post, and the next two posts I share, will feature a head girl, deputy head girl, and class prefect. For this feature’s debut, I’m happy to introduce Natasha, a third grader at Kibera whose favorite parts of the school day include “playing together, sharing ideas, and playing games.” She used her position to inspire respect, hard work, and love among teachers, classmates, and friends. After reading about Natasha’s experience as a head girl, share your support with her in the comments below!

Natasha shares, in her own words, her experience being head girl:

Can you tell us a little bit about your ‘typical day’ as head girl? What kind of responsibilities do you have?

When the girls have gone to play, I make sure that they have not gone to the shops or removed their shoes, that they hear the bell when it rings, and that all the toys are in the box.

How do you work together with the deputy head girl and prefects?

We work together when I tell some of the prefects to group the classes and make sure that nobody makes noise, everyone listens, and all of the things that she has should be neat. Her room should be clean and she should have a handkerchief.

What’s your favorite part of the head girl job?

My favorite part is when I tell the girls to be neat because I’m sure that I’m neat and to come early and to do the right thing at the right place and at the right time.

What is the hardest part about being head girl job?

When you tell the small girls something and they can’t hear. The girls don’t know who I am when I tell them not to remove their shoes. Sometimes I tell them to go and lay down and they don’t so they go to their teacher and they tell them. Now they know I’m the head girl and that they should do the right thing at the right time.

If you had to give a piece of advice to next month’s head girl, what would you tell them?

Work hard and you should work as a team together with the deputy and you should respect them and show them the right place at the right time and you should make them come to school early and be obedient.

How did it make you feel to be selected head girl?

I didn’t know I was so surprised! I was worried and I didn’t know and when I remembered I went to look after the girls.

What did/will you tell your classmates during your speech?

I tell them you should respect teachers, your classmates, and you should show to your friend love. You should make sure you come to school early and clean.

What did you learn about the school when you were prefect that you didn’t know before?

I’ve learned that when you come to school, there are some people who are neat and respect their teachers, follow instructions, and respect their classmates. I learned on my first day how I was proud, I looked at the girls and was proud to be the head girl.

What makes you most proud of your school?

They are girls, they show respect, and they play together as a school. They show teachers respect and obedience. If I give them the ball they know how to return it where I found it. I like how we have a playground and a clinic – how if we are sick we go there. I like how the visitors come and how our teachers handle our problems if we have them and how they teach us.

On top of being head girl, you have lots of classes to take too! What’s your favorite part of the school day?

Playing together, sharing ideas, playing games.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Air hostess

 

Stay tuned for our next interview with second grade deputy head girl, Christian!

 

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Guess Who’s Working for Goldman Sachs?!

After a brief summer blogging hiatus as your India liaison, I’m back feeling refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to take on the world. I hope your summers left you feeling equally as refreshed.

So I have some good news and some FANTASTIC news for you. The good news is that I’ll also be taking over coverage duties of Starfish One by One, our partner school in Guatemala. Given my background minoring in Hispanic Studies in college, I’m extremely excited to learn more about Latin America and write about Starfish. So expect to hear from me more often!

And now for the FANTASTIC news! Guess who will be joining the elite ranks of Goldman Sachs employees in India? Give up? Not one, not two, but THREE Shanti Bhavan students! Two of whom are girls! Pushpa, Stella and Viji (pictured), of the first graduating class at Shanti Bhavan, will be starting with Goldman Sachs in Bangalore. In order to be awarded this well-deserved position they had to go through 2 rounds of testing out of which the pool was narrowed down to 54 students. Then they went through 2 rounds of interviews, after which the pool was narrowed to 30. They then had to go through a final round of interviews and they ALL ended up being chosen!

The Newly Employed Viji, Pushpa and Stella

Stella All Suited Up

I cannot even begin to describe to you how excited we are for them! Given the general bias against girls in India, this is SO BEYOND AMAZING and a true indicator of just how big an impact Shanti Bhavan is making. So many kids here would be thrilled to be in their position, and Pushpa and Stella beat all odds and are among the best, most elite young professionals in India! Ajit George, Director of Operations at Shanti Bhavan agrees. “I cannot express to you both how gratified and fulfilled I feel. It’s like the end of a 16+ year journey with them–finally reaching what we always thought was possible. When [Shanti Bhavan] was started, so many people said that there was no way kids from poverty would ever do so well, that maybe they’d do a bit better than their parents, but that was it… white collar jobs were out of the question. We were just sort of dreaming. Now three of our graduates have beaten the best and gotten the toughest jobs to get in India on a level playing field. It took so much to get here, but their futures are so bright and amazing and with their successes, these young ladies will go on to change the world.”

Pushpa, Ready To take on Goldman Sachs

This is a great moment for all of us at She’s the First to step back and reflect on WHY it is that we do what we do. Shanti Bhavan changed the course of history for these girls, as it does for all its students, and gave them opportunities that were unfathomable to their families just a generation ago.  It is moments like this that inspire me to take all the opportunities I have and keep doing what I’m passionate about and take on the world. How about you?

 

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Kibera School Takes First Place in National Poetry Competition

Teacher (and poet!) Julia Alubala and her award-winning students!

I’ve never been prouder of the young students at the Kibera School for Girls at Shining Hope for Communities in Kenya – and that’s quite a statement! Earlier this month, the pre-K class was honored with the first place title for their performance in Kenya’s National Poetry competition for their stirring recital of “Wings to Fly.” Their performance will be broadcast on national television and the girls will perform at the State House in front of President Kibaki. The poem, written by their teacher Julia Alubala, is one of inspiration and hope – it tells of the girls’ desire to soar above poverty and hunger into a better life filled with learning and love.

In light of the girls’ phenomenal performance, KSG’s Headmistress Anne Olwande said, “State house, here we come, next time White House! Nothing can be our limit, not even the sky. The power of positive thinking!” Twenty-four young girls took part in the national level of the competition, with 12 from pre-K and kindergarten in the winning group. Twelve others from grades 1-3 were awarded 8th place in the national competition.

Watch the video below and it’s quite clear that the girls’ performance is deserving of national (and now international!) accolades. I guarantee their rendition will leave you with goose bumps. Send your congratulations to the girls and Teacher Julia by leaving a comment on their Facebook page!

“We want to fly
give us the wings
Give us love, hope, education
and proper direction
and we will fly high like a butterfly”

To see a video of the girls’ powerful performance “Wings to Fly”, click here.

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Kibera: Second Annual Summer Institute A Success!

A young girl at Kibera School for Girls smiles during this year's Summer Institute

A young girl at Kibera School for Girls smiles during this year's Summer Institute. Photo credit: KSG Facebook page

Summer always means fun in the sun for the girls at The Kibera School for Girls in Kenya! Last year, we wrote about their exciting times at summer camp, where they danced, played sports, put on plays and created works of art. Clearly, this is a talented (and fun-loving!) group of girls. This year, the girls participated in their second annual three-week educational camp, Summer Institute. Thanks to the help of an all-star group of volunteers and staff, the camp was another success!

Summer Institute started last year as a way to engage stellar college student volunteers with the young girls at The Kibera School. Volunteers led the girls in three weeks of playing, learning and mentoring. Mornings at Summer Institute are filled with educational activities, while the afternoons are spent playing sports, doing arts and crafts, making music or acting. Whether the girls were competing in an obstacle course or folding origami, practicing their public speaking or putting on a show, their smiles tell it all. Both volunteers and students alike seem to have had the time of their life over these past three weeks.

After scrolling though Summer Institute’s photos, it’s nearly impossible to not send in a volunteer application for next year’s camp. The Kibera School for Girls is looking for undergrad or graduate students who are eager to take on challenges and responsibility, while forming meaningful relationships with KSG’s students and staff at the 2013 Summer Institute. Applicants should also love being around children and have a passion for Shining Hope’s mission. To learn more about the volunteer opportunities Summer Institute presents, visit here.

Interested? To get a notification when the application goes live in January, email alix@shininghopeforcommunities.org.

 

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