By Muskan Singh | Reporting Team
Greetings and Gratitude from Team RKF
Thank you for your continued support towards our project and communities! In our last report, we shared an update on our Scholars and the Girls Empowerment Workshop we held with them. Read the full report: Flow Forward: Empowering our Girls' Future.
In this report, we’re excited to share inspiring stories showcasing the impact of our workshops and this program. We’ll also highlight recent events, including our engaging Teachers’ Roundtable and the enriching Scholars’ Workshop. Stay tuned and read ahead…
Stories of Change
Earlier this year, we held Girls Empowerment Workshops with the students of Alendu Primary School. 51 girls received a Sanitary Pads Kit, including a pack of 5 reusable pads lasting 12-18 months. The kit comes in a bucket with two panties, soap, tissue paper and a Girl-Talk Booklet.
We held five interactive sessions, each lasting 1.5 hours, for the girls and their mothers. The session started with sharing stories and experiences surrrounding menstrual health. We discovered that, while symptoms and stories differed, the shame and stigma remained the same. We emphasised the need for mothers to build supportive relationships so daughters feel comfortable discussing their challenges. Additionally, we learnt about our private parts and highlighted the importance of consent. Read details of the workshop here: Alendu Primary: Empowered Women, Empower Women.
In that report, we briefly shared Vivian's story. We sat down with her and other attendees to have a deeper conversation, and here are two stories that uplifted our spirits:
Vivian loves to dance - it fills her heart with joy and always lifts her spirit. She is also the first in her family to reach Grade 8, a significant milestone that fills her with immense pride. But that's not enough; she dreams of going even further to university to pursue a career in journalism.
She didn't always want to pursue journalism; when she was in Grade 5, she was more interested in teaching. But in Grade 7, her Maths & Science teacher encouraged her curiosity and introduced her to open dialogue. This was evident when we asked her about her experience attending the Girls Empowerment Workshop we offered. She shared that she learned about her body and no longer feels embarrassed by her periods. She embraces this natural phenomenon, knowing she is not alone - this support makes her feel special and confident.
Furthermore, she discovered effective ways to manage her cramps with warm water and simple exercises and the importance of self-care, especially when she is menstruating. She expressed how transformational the experience of attending the workshop was.
Like Vivian, we spoke with Dorine, who has a passion for dancing and a keen interest in integrated science, her favourite subject. She dreams of becoming a doctor and hopes to make a meaningful impact in her community. Through the workshops, Dorine learned valuable lessons about her body, including private parts and consent. She also discovered that reusable pads are a sustainable choice, providing comfort and reducing the need for constant purchases.
Through the workshops and necessary support we offer, we aim to pave the future for these young girls. We want to create a space where they can thrive; stories like these are a testament to that!
Scholar’s Workshop
Our scholars returned from their second term, and we had fun, inspiring, and impactful activities planned for them! These workshops aimed to rejuvenate the students after their time in school and elevate their educational experience, expanding their imaginations' horizons and inspiring them to believe that their possibilities are endless.
Before we get into it, catch up on the workshops last term. Here’s a link: Shining on: Scholars Update
The workshop began with lively ice-breakers, including musical chairs and a hilarious drawing contest that had everyone laughing. With spirits high, scholars dove into a cookout challenge, forming teams to create delicious dishes like ugali with kachumbari and vegetable pilau. This hands-on experience fostered teamwork and taught valuable lessons in leadership and communication. In the art session, they unleashed their creativity, producing vibrant paintings and origami together. The show-and-tell segment showcased individual talents, from heartfelt poems to dance and science demonstrations. The day concluded with a screening of Encanto, where scholars reflected on its themes of self-awareness and perseverance. For details and more on the workshop, read here: Reports from Scholars’ Workshop.
Teachers’ Roundtable
A famous drummer and singer of rock music, Phil Collins, once said, "In learning, you will teach, and in teaching, you will learn." Teachers dedicate their hearts and souls to nurturing the next generation. However, in their line of duty, they encounter various challenges that affect their delivery and, in the process, transmit to students.
Through the Teachers' Roundtable, the Rahul Kotak Foundation provides a platform for teachers to share their experiences and challenges and spotlight the neglected issues affecting them. We held our 3rd Teachers' Roundtable, a day of connection, learning, and reflection. It provided a space for educators to bond, share, and grow—fueled by insightful conversations and delicious meals. They discussed the challenges faced and took a deep dive into the power of a growth mindset with guest speaker Lynette Odidi. With inspiring sessions and engaging ice melters, the day was a step forward in cultivating resilience and positivity in public education.
Links:
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