THE GIFT OF BRIGHTER GIRLS.

THE GIFT OF BRIGHTER GIRLS.

My personal journey.

I always knew I wanted to work with GIRLS.

At 13, I told myself I wanted to be a good girl so my daughters could have me as their role model. By 17, I was already going to secondary schools to talk to girls about their sexuality. I remember how they will come around me, asking lots of questions after my talks.

My dream led me into various girl advocacies, programs and networks.

Life happened but my dream didn’t die despite being a banker and mother to boys. I decided to add knowledge and expertise to my passion so I signed up for International courses qualifications and certifications part of which was being a Certified Girl Empowerment Coach amongst others.

At one of those trainings, I was asked how I’ll define my teenage years. I said, “even though I was a goody goody, looking back, naivety was what I’ll describe my teenage years as. (I need not count the number of actions I believe I would have taken differently.)

There is a definite knowledge gap hunting adolescence/teenagers today. There is the lack of an active presence and a definite structure to illuminate their growing minds. Bad experiences shouldn’t all be our teacher, what then is the gift of parents, elders or leaders?

But I understand the dilemma. Trust me, it takes a know how to be able to communicate effectively with teens. Oh definitely! They live in a different world from ours and how would we know if nobody educates us.

You probably thinking why I say naivety, I also have given it some thoughts.

Giving my life to Christ early as a teen impacted the core of my being. It went on to influence the values and choices I made especially with association, a decision I’m eternally grateful for. So it’s safe to say I was a good girl one I am proud of, but I know that was just the first stage to change, I needed more, just like every teen girl today.

Girls need to be taught they are their own best gift and biggest tool.  They need to learn the strength and beauty of being unique even if it means being different.

They need be taught they are their own change agents and also be given the permission to express their authenticity.

I learnt very late that being a good girl isn’t about pleasing others or a system; you lose yourself and the gift you are to share with the world in the process. I wish someone taught me on how to speak up and be assertive. I wish someone taught me how to find and respect my inner voice, to understand the power of I, to know my emotion is a gift God gave me to navigate my journey.

Telling girls or our daughters these truths may not be enough, that’s why I love what we do at BGLI. We give GIRLS the tools to ‘find’ themselves and how they can grow into their best versions.

I’m grateful for the Gift of BRIGHTER GIRLS, the platform to equip girls, support parents and grow a strong community.

Welcome to Brighter Girls Life Initiative.