Mentor the Vulnerable Girl Child to Impact 1000s

We are excited to have launched the Girl Child Mentorship Programme, which gives hope and a vision for vulnerable girls, enabling them to see a future beyond the social pressures they face. The sessions have been running smoothly and the girls have something to look forward to every weekend and have come to treasure the time they spend with their big sisters.

We have had five sessions and Laura explains more:

"As I write this about our Girl Child Mentorship Programme for our newsletter on, I'm humbled beyond words. Three weeks in and honestly the beautiful fruit is so overwhelmingly wonderful! Precious girls finding hope and joy for life. Lives that are hard and broken! 

I have watched our four mentors - past Makomborero students - pour all of themselves out into the preparing of sessions, getting ready for the launch and now running each week, building relationships and changing lives. I am so proud of them!  They are experiencing the beauty of witnessing people's lives change before their eyes and they are loving every moment! It's hard to quantify all of this, but if you could be a fly on the wall, your heart would skip a beat at the freedom, joy, and purpose being found in this safe place in Mufakose! 

So what does a morning look like? It begins with an icebreaker which is usually a fun game. The girls then spend half an hour on a handicraft, learning to crochet and working on their blanket for a local orphanage (see picture above). They have found such joy in learning this skill! 

The main session is pre-prepared by our previous Makomborero girls, approved by me and which covers various life skills. This term we focus on the girls as people, their value, and worth, owning their past and moving forward, leadership gifts, various life skills, body language, public speaking etc. We end with a time of reading aloud an inspiring book on a woman.

Some of our sessions require digging deep into who they are, others are equipping them for life, giving them hope! We are so thankful to the two schools who have entrusted 9 of their girls to us. What a privilege! 14 year old, vulnerable girls being given hope! We are now exploring the possibility of setting up a boy mentorship programme! They need this too!"

 From one of our previous students (leading the scheme):

I vividly remember the first day of our Girl Mentorship Program; anxiety and excitement overwhelmed my heart. I was nervous that the girls might not be able to accept me but at the same time, extremely exuberant to get to know them. Our first day was an introductory session and it was so beautiful how although this was the first step, the girls were welcoming. That on its own made me content as it just assured me that the girls were willing to embark with us on this mentorship journey. Over the next two sessions, I could see the girls opening up, their hearts trusting us and seeing their faces beaming with joy showing us that this is just the place they had longed to be at. It's touching how some of the girls are walking several km just to be part of that sisterhood circle we have created, and to hear one of the girls saying "Are we done already? I wish we could stay for the whole day"!

Amazing is just the word I'd use to describe the Girl Mentorship Program because honestly, that's what it is. Each Saturday I feel like I have something to look forward to - seeing those 9 beautiful faces again! The Girl Mentorship Program has given me a purpose, the gift of sisterhood and the bonds we have created are priceless."

Some of the girls taking part share their thoughts on their experience: 

"Makomborero has helped me how to crochet and how to handle life through hardships. Never look down upon yourself, you should be proud of who you are. Don't compare yourself with others and I've learned how to tell my story."

"Makomborero is helping me to do practical skills crocheting and it is also helping me to be honest and confident. I have found people to share my stories with and I trust them. I can feel free if I tell them my story."

"The first day that I joined the Makomborero Mentorship Scheme I felt like I was flying up high. I am learning skills like crocheting and I'm enjoying it. I have found people friends and sisters who love me as I am, and who I can share my life with."

As Belinda says, "The mentorship programme has given me something to look forward to every Saturday morning and the rare opportunity of forming a relationship with a stranger and to make an impact in their life. I couldn’t be more grateful!" 

I believe it sums up the general feeling of the Leaders of the Mentorship Programme. We look forward to the remaining programmes in the term and their Motivational session with a successful female, who will share her journey and demonstrate that it is possible.

Links:

• Facebook Page

• Breakdown of Expenses (XLSX)