Gloria

I believe that Youth can be used as a good entry point and platform to impact a change for evidence based policy making and implementation. I have started mentorship programs in post primary school where I conduct school visits to provide motivational talks, counselling sessions and career guidance to over 50 students. This has created impacted because the academic performance of learners has since increased by 65% and there has been decrease in school drop out, violent behaviour and poor school performance. As a young girl, I'm reminded of how I used to attend classes just because I was forced to do so. At some point, I just bunked classes, got expelled due to owing tuition fees, low self-esteem, harsh punishment and being scolded for scoring lower marks in class. All these factors contributed to my low performance in school which has impacted negatively on the career I chose today. Not only myself but many other students feel this way. I don't want other students to go what I went through that's why I had to start these mentorship programs. Moreover, interviews conducted in these schools revealed that most learners especially those who come from underprivilege and low income families find it almost impossible to break the intergenerational poverty cycle. These are the girls who aspire to drop out of school, get married, have kids and become housewives. They don't have proper role models who show them that their dreams can change, dream jobs are possible, life is more than just marriage and kids. They have never seen anyone in their family or community succeed. There is gap to be filled on making children understand the significance and value of school attendance and best performance. This is a preventive approach rather than just focusing on the end results like school drop out and child marriages etc.

Additionally I have already driven an impact through my role as a Co-programming Chair for Youth camps where I’ve arranged work-plans, logistics, budget and operations of a 5 days camp for over 200 girls from over 10 post primary schools in Northern part of Lesotho. I have designed and lead life-skills sessions/activities on decision making, career planning, HIV education, and self-esteem building during the camp. My role is to engage with the girls and provide encouragement, motivation, support and empower the girls to bond as a team during games and events, eat meals with them, play, and earn their trust and respect. I serve as a positive female role model for ALL campers at Camp G.L.O.W.! I join campers in participating in fun team-building activities, such as a scavenger hunt, and late-night activities.  These GLOW clubs exist throughout school days and we assemble the girls once in a year during schools vacations in a camp and provide monitoring of these GLOW clubs in the schools. Additionally, I request sponsorship for these girls who might be having challenges of paying schools and other school requirements. I believe this youth targeting initiatives remain the answer to most challenges the world faces today.