41 MPC girls now
have Girl Power
SOUTH REWARD--Participants in the Girl Power programme at Milton Peters College graduated yesterday evening from the course that focuses on building self-esteem, self-empowerment and self values in young girls.
A total of 41 of the 75 young girls invited to take part completed the course, which trained them in basic decision-making skills needed when communicating with their peers and parents.
Girl Power facilitator and Sector Health Care Affairs representative Fenna Arnell commented that although the girls had been reluctant to join the programme in the beginning, because of unfamiliarity with the concept, their enthusiasm and fulfilment had proved positive in the end.
Sector Health Care Affairs was a major donor to the programme, sponsoring various items necessary for the programme, including hygiene pouches and gift bags. Head of Preventive Diseases at Sector Health Care Affairs Dr. Rachel Eersel said the department considered it imperative to support the programme as it saw the necessity of such a concept and was pleased to work with Girl Power.
As a closing-off assignment for the programme the girls wrote poems, and a rap song written by one of the girls will be used in the media campaign for Girl Power.
The pilot Girl Power programme took place at several secondary schools on the island in 2002 and after being evaluated was found to be effective. The objective was for adult facilitators recruited via ads in the local newspapers to go into schools and mentor girls ages 13-18 in setting goals for the future and in making good choices when it comes to sexual intercourse.
The programme will continue next at Sundial School.
