Girl Power

07/02/2022

Linden girls empowered
By Vanessa Braithwaite
- July 15, 2018
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Exhibits produced by the girls who attended the informative forum
OVER 120 girls were on Saturday educated and empowered at a ‘Girl Power’ conference hosted by the NGO, For the Children Sake Foundation, under the theme, “Educate, Inspire and Encourage.”

The programme was aimed at equipping girls with the needed information to make informed decisions in their social lives.
For the Children Sake Foundation Director Tisha Campbell, said the initiative was birthed after realisation of the increase in teenage pregnancy, su***de and STIs in Linden. Given the upsurge in social challenges, the programme targets the teen population.

“This event serves as an outset on our journey to ensure our girls are well equipped to overcome the challenges that await them in our society,” she said in her opening remarks.

Giving the feature address was Minister of Public Health Volda Lawrence, who charged the participants to take control of all their faculties needed to make informed and positive decisions that can impact their future. She revealed that the youth and adolescent population make up about 33 per cent of the total population and she is aware of the plethora of issues young people face.

“I want to say to you that [you] are not in a hopeless situation, you can fashion your life in a powerful and positive way, by embracing programmes such as this… knowledge is power, when you know, you can decide whether you want to do it right, or whether you want to do it wrong,” Lawrence posited.

She told the participants that it is necessary to keep their environment clean and make prudent lifestyle choices. “Gain facts about your body,” she said. “Just as you take care of your outward, you must take care of your inner being and most of all you must take care of your mind, you have to be in control of your mind… you have the right and you have the power to make the right choices.”

The girls were also urged to educate themselves to prevent adolescent pregnancy, since Guyana has the highest rate in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The girls were reminded that they are beautiful and powerful and should never think of themselves as beneath anyone.

Mayor of Linden Waneka Arindell congratulated the foundation for coordinating the forum and encouraged the participants to use the knowledge gained as a means of up-building each other.
“Through these events we want to see women and girls building each other, let us band together as girls and let us look out to each other, strengthen and lift each other and stand with our women,” Arindell urged.

The girls were also given a very informative presentation on sports by Deputy Director of Sport Mellissa Richardson. The presentation focused on how sport can build their interpersonal skills and their ability to work as a team. Former parliamentarian Vanessa Kissoon also delivered a motivational speech.

“Girl Power” was launched in May as a means of empowering girls and young women between the ages of 10 to 24, since at these age groups most are affected by societal ills.
For the Children Sake Foundation will also seek to conduct entrepreneurship programmes to empower young women to become financially independent

07/02/2022

Linden’s NGO empowering youths through ‘girl power’ movement

Staff Reporter Staff ReporterJune 17, 2018
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, June 17, 2018

Linden’s ‘For the Children Sake Foundation’ has taken aim at empowering young women and girls through its recently launched ‘Girl Power’ initiative.

The programme was launched under the theme, “To empower, to encourage and to inspire”. According to the programme’s Coordinator, Tishon Fraser, it has been initiated by the NGO as a means of empowering girls and young women.

Tishon Fraser (centre) interacts with young adolescent girls during the launch of the Girl Power initiative

A recruitment exercise was recently hosted where young women and adolescents were registered to be part of a mentorship programme and to also benefit from various training exercises. “We’re looking at ages 10 to 24 because we think girls at this stage are more vulnerable. They are the ones that are more affected by these social, health and educational issues in society today. So, this is why we chose this age range and we’re empowering them,” Fraser explained.

Various community leaders have so far been selected to provide training and guidance. “We’re also going to be using community leaders as role models for these young people. We’re going to ask persons to mentor these young girls, to have older ‘sisters’ be part of the programme that will help with the younger girls,” Fraser added

At the recent launch, there was a photographic display of some “phenomenal and influential” women in society. Fraser said the NGO included persons from various sectors, including education to be part of the initiative. “We have (involved) different women in society, who are making a change and having an impact in trying to better our young women.” Also on display was information on making positive choices and learning more about the reproductive system.

In order to empower young people and prevent social and educational issues, the group is mainly focusing on preventative measures. ‘Girl Power’ also seeks to empower, through knowledge, in an effort for youths to make informed decisions. The NGO will also conduct entrepreneurship programmes.

“We’re not stopping only in this community, this region, but we’re going to go out in the other regions and we’re going to get communities involved. We’re going to have ministries involved. We’re going to have everybody involved. So we can fight and advocate for the betterment of our young people.”

Another ‘Girl Power’ initiative was recently launched in the community by Minister within the Ministry of Natural Resources, Simona Broomes.

07/02/2022

More than 100 girls from several communities across the Upper Demerara-Upper Berbice Region were part of a ‘Girl Power” conference.

This event was held at the Egbert Benjamin Exhibition and Conference Centre in Mackenzie, Linden on Saturday.

‘For the Children Sake’ Foundation, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) in Linden collaborated with Ministry of Public Health’s Adolescent Health Department to host the conference.

The feature address was delivered the Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence, who first broke the ice with a lighthearted and motivating game that saw the girls defining each letter of the word G.I.R.L.S.

Among the many descriptions were, G-good, gorgeous, genuine, I-intelligent, idealistic, inspirational, R-respectful, reliable, royal, L-loyal, loving, leader, S-smart, special, sensitive, sophisticated.

Minister Lawrence expressed the view that this exercise was the first step in fulfilling the theme under which the event was hosted which is, ‘Empower, Encourage, Inspire’. As she interacted with the adolescents, Minister Lawrence identified with the young girls as someone who has faced this particular stage of growth and development.

“…You are not in a hopeless situation. You can be somebody, you can fashion your life in a positive and powerful way by embracing programmes such as this organised by the ‘For the Children Sake Foundation’ so that you can be better informed.”

Some of the girls who attended the conference

Some of the girls who attended the conference

Minister of Public Health, Volda Lawrence with some of the organisers of the Girl Power Conference in Mackenzie, Linden
On this note, she emphasised that every girl, every woman must seek the opportunity to access and receive information that will enhance her personal development.

“When you have information, you have knowledge. It allows you to make the right choices… that is why information is so important. Girls, in order for you to be empowered, educating yourselves is the key. You must move along the continuum from lack of knowledge to the point where you acquire the requisite skills and knowledge.”

For further emphasis, the minister painted a realistic picture of the impact bad choices could have on their lives at this crucial point of development. She explained the consequences of unsafe s*x, unhealthy diets which proceeds to several Non-Communicable Diseases and the abuse of alcohol and other conventional substances and its effect on the human body.

“Once you have the relevant facts about your body, your health, your environment and the social issues prevalent in your community and the society at large then you have a toolbox that will enable you to make better and even healthier lifestyle choices and move ahead to reach your full potential,” Minister Lawrence told the girls.

According to the Executive Director of For the Children Sake’ Foundation, Vernon Todd, the event serves as another step in the journey to ensuring girls are well equipped to overcome the existing challenges in society. Todd is also hopeful that with initiatives such as these, the community, regional and national leaders are challenged to do more to helping girls to understand and be confident of their roles in society.

07/02/2022

Adolescent girls benefit from “Girl Power” virtual conference
October 6, 2020


Local and overseas-based girls recently benefitted from a “Girl Power” virtual conference by the For the Children Sake Foundation (FTCSF) in collaboration with the Health Ministry’s Adolescent Health Department, Cysterhood Support-Guyana and Desert Flower. The conference, which took place via Zoom, was aimed at empowering adolescents and girls, making them more equipped with the knowledge to face various challenges.

One of the presentations during the virtual “Girl Power”
In giving the welcoming and opening remarks, FTCSF Deputy Finance Director Tishon Fraser said the collaborating organisations have recognised the importance of girl empowerment, which she noted can lead to healthier families and communities.
“Girl empowerment allows for self-discovery, self-love. It builds confidence, boosts morals and inculcate values for self that allows for personal development. Empowerment is being in a position to make informed decisions that will impact your outcomes, and a lot of times knowing just a little bit more or having a little more confidence in your capabilities is the difference between remaining in an abusive relationship or moving on, choosing education or fast-paced life. As girls, we need to have the proper guidance and knowledge that will help us navigate efficiently through the critical periods of adolescence,” Fraser said.
She noted that the activity was an initiative birthed and nurtured by for the organisation’s mandate to empower, encourage and inspire girls in the hope of making them better prepared for the challenges that await them in society. Fraser further encouraged participants to be active, ask questions and to seek clarity.
“When you have information, you have knowledge. It allows you to make the right choices… that is why information is so important. Girls, in order for you to be empowered, educating yourselves is the key. You must move along the continuum from lack of knowledge to the point where you acquire the requisite skills and knowledge,” she told participants.
The participants were educated on topics such as menstruation and hygiene, Polycystic O***y Syndrome (PCOS), cervical cancer, breast self-examination, abuse, domestic violence and the law, anxiety and depression.
According to FTCSF Executive Director Vernon Todd, the event serves as another step in the journey to ensuring that girls are well equipped to overcome the existing challenges in society. Todd said he is hopeful that with initiatives such as these, the community, as well as regional and national leaders, are challenged to do more to assist girls to understand and be confident of their roles in society.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Cysterhood Support-Guyana, Kimberly Manbodh implored the girls to take advantage of the opportunity and to be the best version of themselves, while Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Coordinator Cilandell Glen charged the girls to be the change they want to see in the world.
A mini virtual concert was also hosted where various artistes empowered the girls through their performances. (G13)

07/02/2022

07/02/2022

Power is given only to those who dare to lower themselves and pick it up. Only one thing matters, one thing; to be able to dare!

06/27/2022

06/27/2022

Girl Empowerment Summit

The girl empowerment conference was developed by For the Children's Sake Foundation with support by the Ministry of Health- Adolescent Health Unit in 2010. The main aim of the conference is to equip and empower adolescent girls ages 10 to 19 with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions.

This year the girl power summit and mini exhibition is hosted under the Theme to “Empower Encourage and Inspire” and is held to observed International Day of Action for Women’s Health, which is observed globally on May 28th. The day serves as an advocate for the s*xual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) among women.

This year the summit is supported by the PAHO/WHO Guyana Country Office and the Ministry of Health -Adolescent Health.

Goals
• To improve health literacy among adolescent girls (10- 19) in region 10.
• To provide adolescent Girls ages 10 – 19 with the knowledge and skills to make informed health decisions
• To empower and encourage adolescents’ girls ages 10- 19
• To improve access to appropriate health information and services among adolescent girls