Educating our Girls About Their Rights as Children!
Posted on October 11, 2016
It's lunch break at Akili school and the girls have just had their lunch. They are now relaxing before the afternoon classes begin. I walk from the Office to the Kitchen to join in a conversation with the teachers, cook and matron. I'm hoping to collect a story or two about our girls.
The conversation is really interesting, shifting from how the boarding school is changing the lives of the girls to how the teachers and staff could put in place support systems to help the girls who need extra attention. We are so deeply engrossed that we don't see the clock tick past 2pm, the official time to commence the afternoon lessons.
15 minutes later, we end the conversation to allow the teachers to attend class. As I go past the dormitory, I can hear excited girls talking in 4th grade. I can't help wondering what the discussion is about since they are on their own, without the teachers.
Posted on October 11, 2016
It's lunch break at Akili school and the girls have just had their lunch. They are now relaxing before the afternoon classes begin. I walk from the Office to the Kitchen to join in a conversation with the teachers, cook and matron. I'm hoping to collect a story or two about our girls.
The conversation is really interesting, shifting from how the boarding school is changing the lives of the girls to how the teachers and staff could put in place support systems to help the girls who need extra attention. We are so deeply engrossed that we don't see the clock tick past 2pm, the official time to commence the afternoon lessons.
15 minutes later, we end the conversation to allow the teachers to attend class. As I go past the dormitory, I can hear excited girls talking in 4th grade. I can't help wondering what the discussion is about since they are on their own, without the teachers.
Akili Girls Discussing Their Rights In Class
Upon reaching the classroom, I find the girls seated in groups, talking and taking notes. "What are you guys doing?" I ask.
"Teacher, we are discussing about our rights," says Esther. "We have so many rights!" Mary adds.
With a big smile on my face, I ask them to share with me what they have learned and one, after the other, they start.
"I have the right to life,"' says Jane.
"I have the right to all basic necessities of life like food and shelter," says Velma.
"I have the right to feel safe. No one is allowed to hurt me," Hafsa asserts.
"I have the right to express my opinion and adults have the responsibility to listen," says Valentine and Mercy in unison.
And they keep going on and on with an aura of confidence that befits the next generation of women leaders in Kenya.
"Teacher, we are discussing about our rights," says Esther. "We have so many rights!" Mary adds.
With a big smile on my face, I ask them to share with me what they have learned and one, after the other, they start.
"I have the right to life,"' says Jane.
"I have the right to all basic necessities of life like food and shelter," says Velma.
"I have the right to feel safe. No one is allowed to hurt me," Hafsa asserts.
"I have the right to express my opinion and adults have the responsibility to listen," says Valentine and Mercy in unison.
And they keep going on and on with an aura of confidence that befits the next generation of women leaders in Kenya.
Akili Girls Doing Their Homework At The Boarding School
In our quest to improve the quality of instruction at Akili School, we have been partnering with Pink Elephant International and the Kabarak University School of Law students to implement a Child Rights Curriculum for our girls. We believe that it is not enough for citizens to be aware of the rights of the child. It is crucial for our girls to fully grasp and understand their rights as well.
To see them live this out was mind blowing and underscored our commitment to provide superlative education for our girls and ensure that they can go on to reach their full potential and change the world.
To see them live this out was mind blowing and underscored our commitment to provide superlative education for our girls and ensure that they can go on to reach their full potential and change the world.
The Pink Elephant Team Meeting With The Akili Teachers
|
Karabak University Law Students Showing Our Teachers How To Implement the Child Rights Curriculum
|
Working at our office at the boarding school means that we get to see these girls grow, learn and just be kids. Whether it is Cynthia and her group bouncing and cat-walking in the dormitory corridors to practice their modeling skills, Valary and her friends rapping and reciting poems on the dangers of HIV/AIDS, the little Jovlet running after the ball in the school compound with our matron's children, or Daisy watering our vegetable gardens after drinking water from the tap, we know that our girls are making progress.
Even more fulfilling is knowing that the progress that they are making is not just for their own good, but for their families, our community and society as a whole.
Even more fulfilling is knowing that the progress that they are making is not just for their own good, but for their families, our community and society as a whole.
Daisy Nicole drinking water from the tap before pouring the leftovers into the sustainable garden at Akili School Senior Campus at Obambo
Esther Ayuma and Friends Modeling in the Dormitory Corridors
