On Saturday, November 23rd, EmpoweredFem Guyana, Barrels of Love, Inside out and Mother’s Union- Guyana partnered and executed the Glo Girl Camp at the Vryman’s Erven Secondary School.
According to the press release, this initiative was done to empower adolescent girls in the Vryman’s Erven Secondary to address and overcome gender-based barriers by providing them with the tools and knowledge needed to improve decision-making, pursue opportunities, and enhance their overall health and well-being. A total of 40 girls from grades 8-10 (ages 12-15) were chosen through assessments done by the school’s guidance counselor, Raquel Wade and the head teacher; Shaundel Phillips.
The one-day workshop taught girls practical ways to stay safe, build confidence, and set personal boundaries. The impactful sessions were facilitated by Denica Henry, Marissa Foster, Seeta Dalloo, Yvonne Barrow, Stephanie Persaud and Adele Minty. The facilitators encouraged the participants to speak up and support each other in creating a safer, more respectful community. They were also inspired to become role models and positive voices for change against gender-based violence in their schools and communities.
The participants and facilitators (Photo Credit: Marissa V. Foster)
Stephanie Persaud from 501c3 Barrels of Love Int. (USA) and Yvonne Barrow from InsideOut reached out to EmpoweredFem to collaborate on this initiative for girls in Berbice. EmpoweredFem, as a local group with knowledge of the need for a project at Vryman’s Erven Secondary, gave the recommendations for the school, target audience and provided the contact for the school officials. Together, these three coordinating groups created Glo Girl. Yvonne handled most of the logistics of the project and also sought support from the Mother’s Union of Guyana for funding. Stephanie Persaud also donated gift bags filled with educational resources on finding purpose along with stationary and other cute gifts for the girls.
Denica Henry facilitating a session
With the full support of the head teacher; Ms. Shaundel Phillips, the programme covered a vast range of topics for capacity building such as: Understanding Gender-Based Violence, Mental Health Coping Skills, Building Healthy Relationships and Boundaries, Purpose Finding and Self-Esteem Building, Girls as Leaders and Changemakers Against GBV. At the end of the sessions, the girls were also taught an empowerment pledge with the hopes of inspiring them to share the experience and knowledge learned with their other classmates. The girls learned through various interactive sessions such as role playing and scenario discussions. A real-life story of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Guyana was also dissected to show the impact of GBV and it created a meaningful dialogue of solutions and informed-action undertaking.
Seeta Dalloo facilitating a session
Marissa V. Foster facilitating a session
“The participants welcomed the Glo Girl Initiative and with their commitment, the team will be planning a second-phase of the program for the first half of the new year. Some of the girls present related that the information shared was enlightening and helpful for their daily life while others suggested new topics that they’d like to learn more about like, poverty and sexual abuse for the next program. The collaborative body of Glo Girl would like to expand this initiative to other communities across Guyana and as such, they welcome the support from other local groups and organizations for possible collaborations,” Marissa Foster said.