Girls Arise Initiative

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...

It was sometime in October 2016. I got a mail from a friend I had met few months back via World Pulse; an online community of women changemakers. My friend, Bimbo Adegbite had read about our work with Ijegun girls on World Pulse and was keenly interested in partnering with us to mentor and assist them to maximize their potentials. A girls-right advocate herself, Bimbo is a highly resourceful and kind-hearted woman who upholds that every girl should be empowered to be her best. And so from January 2017, she began to engage the girls through her call-in-sessions, at our monthly meetings. Through this medium, she was able to add her voice to such topics as Goal Setting, My Future Ambition, Friendship, Mentorship etc. By March, Bimbo saw the need to engage the girls more closely through one-on-one mentorship. So she came up with the idea of buying telephone sets for each of the girls and getting a team of amazing and equally resourceful women to serve as adult friends and call th...

When Olamide first gained admission into secondary school, she had high hopes of passing with flying colors. She also had plans all mapped out to head on to nursing school, earn a degree as a registered nurse, and practice the profession she is so passionate about. She looked forward to being one of the best caregivers in town and someday raising a healthy, beautiful family. She was 12 years old then, the first of five children raised by indigent and estranged parents. In spite of the challenges at home, Olamide demonstrated great courage and hope for a better life. But her father had left home, and without him she lacked mentorship and guidance. At age 17, she became involved in a relationship with a young man named Rotimi, and one year into that relationship, she got pregnant. As a result, she suffered rejection and ridicule, as is customary in this culture. She had to drop out of school. Back home, her parents expressed utter disappointment and refused to support ...