Wanting to find the perfect counterpart, I wandered as far as 6 km from my home to another village called Mbane. Having a solid counterpart is essential to the sustainability of a program like Skillz Girl, and I was fortunate enough to cross paths with Ndeye Dibor Diagne, a teacher at the local primary school in Mbane. Ndeye is a dream counterpart, with a smile that’ll instantly light up anyone’s day; she is also dedicated to the cause of women's empowerment. We had several discussions about her students’ lack of enthusiasm for school and frequent dropout rate due to early marriage or to pursue work opportunities in Mauritania. Using her connections at the school, we were able to get the teachers and school director in support of the Skillz Girl curriculum. From there, we picked the 20 hardest working female students aged 12-15 years old, set up a meeting to get their parents’ blessing, and off we went. The opening lesson focused on creating a team identity, including a team cheer, signing a team contract, and further explaining the Skillz Girl program. We agreed to meet twice a week after school for the next 6 weeks and to work hard to complete the program before school let out for summer. Every lesson incorporated HIV/AIDS education and prevention, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and how to combat gender based violence, while creating a safe space for the girls to have their voices heard. The curriculum sparked vital conversations, formed life-long friendships, and – most importantly – gave praise and encouragement to the girls. Can I get a kilo?! (Grassroots Soccer’s most famous form of praise, inciting a certain clap and cheering combination to further encourage the girls on a great response to a challenging or thought-provoking question).
Over the course of 6 weeks, we worked hard to empower these 20 primary school girls: to tell them they have the power to change gender constructs, to work hard to eventually achieve gender equality, and to protect their bodies from HIV. We stressed the importance of healthy relationships based on mutual respect and communication and that violence against women is never okay. For the last practice, Ndeye and I even taught them how to make reusable pads for their menstrual cycles using local fabric, water sachets, towels, and a needle and thread.
It was so incredible being a part of the Grassroots Soccer Skillz Girl program and to get the chance to empower 20 young girls to grow into strong, proud women. They will always be jambaars (warriors) in my book!
"Oh How She Glows"
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