Train-Coach-Mentor' Girls Project

Girls from difficult backgrounds- girls from poor households, girls living in rural communities and physically challenged girls usually lack confidence to take initiatives to bring change in their lives, communities and countries. Many more are compelled to drop out of school due to lack of moral and monetary support. The few who sail through hardly make it to the University or rise up to take positions in Government or corporate organisations.In Ghana girls enrolment has shot up but retaining girls in school is a challenge.

It is in response to this that Greight Foundation; a registered Non -Governmental Organisation in Ghana launches its maiden empowerment programme dubbed ‘Train-Coach-Mentor’ Girls project.
Train-Coach-Mentor Project aims at empowering girls from difficult backgrounds to dream what could be, determine what should be and design for themselves what can be for their lives, families and communities.

Greight Foundation provides leadership, skills and entrepreneurial training for these girls helping them to develop self- confidence, leadership and entrepreneurial skills.The organisation also creates support systems such as coaching and mentoring for these girls to successfully implement their initiatives and also achieve their goals in life.

15 GIRLS TRAINED IN ALAJO-ACCRA

Fifteen (15) girls between the ages of ten (10) and eighteen (18) have been trained on Building self-confidence and Personal Development. These are school girls who live at Alajo-Accra but attend different schools and from different households, faiths and backgrounds.

The three hour training titled ‘Dare-To-Dream’ was meant to build confidence in the girls, inspire them to aspire to be community ambassadors and challenge the girls to take initiatives to bring change in their lives, families and communities.

The girls first of all had the opportunity to listen to the life stories of three young community champions who grew up in the same community. The three role models–a Law student, a Journalist and a University Graduate shared their stories of determination, hard work and positive attitude with the girls; telling them how they sailed through life despite harsh challenges like poverty, broken homes, teenage pregnancy and cyber crime which is rampant in the community.

The girls were then taken through the principles of soul searching, appreciative inquiry and personal life journey exercise. Training activities included girls being tasked to reflect deeply and personally on who they thought they were, where, where they were going in life and how they thought they could get there. This exercise was meant to help the girls discover themselves, their talents or potential, dream or imagine what could be, design or determine what could be and to create what should be for their lives, families and communities. The girls also worked in pairs and in smaller groups on some of the activities.

At plenary session these girls were asked to share what they discovered about themselves, what they dreamed and determined to be, what initiatives they had designed and what practical steps they were taking and going to take to bring change in their lives, families and communities.

WHAT THE GIRLS SAY ABOUT THE TRAINING

‘I am challenged to be the best, number one and nothing less at home, in school or anywhere I find myself’ shares Sylvia Gyapong of Kinbu Senior High School happily. Sylvia dreams of becoming a Business woman in the future and hopes to help other girls in her community in future.

16 year old Elizabeth Addi of Achimota High School had this to say ‘I have been inspired and challenged to think and act differently; to focus on possibility and to be the change I want to see.’

Portia Boaten, 14 years old of New Creation Preparatory School adds on a shy note ‘I want to be a nurse in future and I have learnt to value differences wherever I find myself’

ENTREPRENEURIAL AND SKILLS BASED TRAININGS

Two more trainings on building self-confidence have been scheduled for 30 blind girls at the Akropong School for the Blind and 20 more girls living in a rural community. Entrepreneurial and skills based trainings have also been outlined as follow up training for these girls.

COACHING AND MENTORING

The second phase of the project is focused on coaching and mentoring these girls by encouraging and supporting them to be who they want to be. At this stage, the girls would be paired with successful and influential role models, personal life coaches and mentors who will be responsible for assisting the girls to achieve their goals in life.

IMPACT GALORE

These girls are expected to impact at least eight girls in their communities with the aim of helping the eight girls to be great people in the future. The chain of G-R-E-I-G-H-T continues for generations.