Girls Arise Initiative

Unlike previous meetings where the boys and girls met in separate groups, this month’s meeting was combined. Expectedly, Girls Arise Initiative team took the lead, being the most vibrant and engaging group. We had lots of things to talk about, ranging from how the summer holiday has been to what preparations needs be made as school resumes in few days. The convener, Aunty Aramide stressed the need for youths to be responsible, dutiful and appreciative of the efforts of the organization to serve them selflessly. Thereafter, she called for sincere assessment of all the activities and engagements of Bestspring Foundation since it began operations in Ijegun in October 2013 and more importantly in the last one year when both Girls Arise Initiative and Boys & Champions groups were inaugurated. She noted that the assessment is not to demand praises but to let the foundation know what the pressing needs of the youths are and how best to serve them. It would be recalled tha...

My Mama used to say to me, “I was humiliated by your father. I was treated like a non-living soul”. How painful it is when a woman goes through so much pain. Imagine a woman being disrespected by men. They think they can toy with us, they think we are sex toys, they think we are worthless. We deserve our respect as women, we are not meant to be treated like whores. They are shameless; all they want is put us in pains, lust and tears, but they don’t know the beginning of their downfall is to make us cry. As a woman, we have things in us, we have strong spirit. My mama is my inspiration and that is why I always want to be a feminist. Our power is in our tears!!! We give them life; yet they make us worthless. How painful! We deserve our respect from them, let them know our worth and let us show them our worth. As a woman we deserve our respect. We should understand our power and wield it like Samurai sword. We command respect; we don’t demand it. Just by the way sh...

As part of efforts to stem the tide of teenage pregnancy and its attendant problems, it became expedient for us at Bestspring Foundation, through its Girls Arise Initiative, to educate our schoolgirls at Ijegun on their reproductive health rights. And so on Saturday 15th July, we partnered with Linking Hands Foundation and its allies to organise a conference on Menstrual Hygiene. Linking Hands Foundation, headed by Mrs. EfeFarinre, offered to support us with Re-useable pads, which was graciously supplied by Days For Girls International and refreshments. It was a very warm and interactive session with  Dr. AramideOteju, Mrs. EfeFarinre and myself sharing deep truths with the over sixty girls in attendance. We spoke about menstrual cycle, ovulation and sex. We spoke about the challenges girls face during menstrual periods and how it often prevents them from attending school. The girls were thoroughly excited when they were introduced to the re-useable pads package as a better alte...

At what age should children be exposed to sexuality education and enlightenment? Who should be their first teacher? And what should be the extent of the information we give to safeguard them from all forms of sexual abuse and mismanagement? These are questions begging for answers. But beyond answers, these are problems begging for solutions, especially in a society that is not only so porous and permissive as to treat issues of Rape with kid’s cloves but also a society that is so compromised as to protect culprits and conceal their devious acts. Like it is in most underdeveloped areas, Ijegun and its neighbouring communitiesnamely Abaranje, Oke-Orube, Ijeododo, Kudebu and Ijagemo, all in Ikotun axis of Alimosho Local Govt Area of Lagos State boasts of a huge percentage of unformed youths, hence many are reckless about sex. Unfortunately, many men, both single and married, also take pride in sexually assaulting, abusing and molesting young girls and teenagers: and oftentimes the...

This meeting held on the 2nd Friday of the month.  The meeting started by 2:00pm with opening prayer. Praise and worship was taken by Chukwu Peace. It was basically to kick start the mentoring program; hence there was a call-in session by the Project chair, Mrs. Bimbo Adegbite. Bimbo asked a question, who is a mentor? Olowogaba Tobi, one of the girls answered that a mentor is someone you care about you or you look unto for guidance to achieve your goal. Bimbo said when you are in a mentoring class; you have to express yourself very well to your mentor i.e. feel free to say anything bothering you to your mentor. She also talked about the benefit of the mentoring program. She said that the mentors are going to develop the girls in their skills, talent, vocations etc. she added that the mentors are there to encourage them as well as care for them.  She assured the girls of her support and readiness to help. She talked about the phone and this is a moment the girls were wai...

The program started 9:00am and the opening prayer was taken one of the members of Diva ladies. After the opening prayer, each student introduce herself and the national anthem was taken by one of the student of Queensland Academy. A debate was held between Queensland Academy and Solid Rock Academy. The topic was tagged “Am different which means I am better than you”.  Queensland Academy opposed the motion while Solid Rock Academy supported the motion. Finally, Queensland Academy won the debate with 81%. The following points were raised during the debate:      1. Ability 2.  Culture 3.    Family background 4.  Religion and so on The Solid Rock Academy has 55% and with a few points such as: 1.    Confidence 2.    Being the best in your field 3.  And try to be the best that you are After the debate, the guest speakers were introduced: Mrs. Pst. Isabel and Mrs. Kelvin Moses. Mrs. Isabel spoke on being yo...