Girls Talk!

Our Girls in Mitumba slums talk again! This time the girls discuss in groups the concept of self-development and brainstorm on how they can bring change to their lives, families, community and country.

Nairobi-Kenya-In six groups of four, 24 girls between the ages of 11-15 years in grades 4, 5 and 6 meet after school to discuss knowing themselves, developing their strengths and talents, discovering their potential, achieving their aspirations and taking concrete actions to bring change to first of their lives, their families, community and country.
These are girls from difficult backgrounds- from low income families, live in a deprived community (Mitumba slums) and are either living with one parent or both parents.

Since the introduction of ‘Train-Coach-Mentor’ Project in the community, the girls have taken delight in meeting after school and discussing issues that are important to their development, challenges facing them in their community and how they can achieve their goals and how they can give back to their community some day.

Just before the girls go on vacation they met again-this time they deliberately excitedly and confidently about self-development. The girls believe that before one can bring any change at all they first of all have to be the change they want to see. This begins first of with self-development: knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses, exploring one’s talents, setting goals and targets for themselves and influencing others positively.

The session started with ‘knowing me-knowing’ to warm them up after which the girls were divided into four groups-each group was made up of 6 girls. With a leader to coordinate the discussion and a secretary to capture their thoughts, points and ideas the conversation started.
‘It is important that we know who we are-what makes us happy or sad, what we enjoy doing or what we want to in future’ says Susan Akinyi.

The session then preceded with the description of the word Self – Discipline which elicited responses such as “Teacher it is being self-controlled, well-behaved, kind, faithful, patience “just to mention but a few.
Self-actualization, building self-confidence and cultivating self-discipline is just one of the first steps to be the change we want to bring in our community. The meeting was closed on this summary as the girls packed, interacted and planned for their next meeting when School resumes.