June 24, 2021
Joining the rest of the African continent in commemorating the barbaric incident of 16th June 1976 in Soweto, South Africa, where thousands of black school children took to the streets to protest for the inferior quality of their education and demand their right to be taught in their language, hundreds of them were shot down; and in the two weeks of protest that followed, more than hundreds people were killed and more than thousands injured.
The Girls Aid Movement Sierra Leone, therefore, held two career talks and a seminar targeting over three hundred Girls at the SLMB Jnr. Sec. Sch., Newstead lane, Congo water, and the U.B.C primary school at Wellington.
Speaking during this ceremony, the keynote and motivational speaker Theresa Vinnie Rogers who also doubles as the Director of Youth and Children Affairs of the Girls Aid Movement, admonished the room packed with girls about their rights to their bodies and their responsibilities to take their school works seriously in order to enable them to choose amongst highly paid careers and jobs in the future.
She further admonished active minded adolescent girls to be extremely conscious of their bodies and thus, should not allow anybody else to touch them without their consent.
Theresa Vinnie Rogers informed the teens girls that they’ve a very bright future and therefore , they should work towards ensuring that they become role models and epitomes in the society as girls they have the power.
Speaking on menstruation and menstrual hygiene, she assured the exuberance teenagers that it is a good thing and a blessing from God and, there’s nothing to be ashamed of and they should talk to their parent, older female siblings or guardians if they are not sure or knowledgeable about their menstrual cycle.
The motivational and eloquent speaker ended with an in-depth talk on what the kids will want to do in the future, and everyone was excited to say their inner desires with their hands up and speaking up as the floor was opened for a frank discussion from the girls to share their experiences and lesson learnt.
A bold and brave girl thanked the organization for such an enlightened and mind touching motivational and career guide.
She attested to the fact that she has learnt a lot and she will also ensure to pass on what she has gathered to her peers that were not opportune to have benefited from what she referred to as “food for thought”.
The head teacher of the U.B.C Primary School Mr. Theo profusely thanked the organization for such an important engagement as the seminar didn’t only benefit the pupils but the staff as well.
He pleaded on the organization to be visiting his school and mentoring the children.
With the day ending with feasting and partying, the kids went home with very fond memories of having the opportunities to have spoken out their dreams in a safe and encouraging environment.
©️ Girls Aid Movement S/L Communications Unit 202