Adolescent Girls With Lifeline Radios
Written by Chhavi Sharma
Ish… Ish… Ishaka echoed the Mission Suedoise hall full of more than 80 adolescent girls in Bujumbura, all between the ages of 14 and 22. Eager to learn about how to use their solar-powered and wind-up Lifeline radios and how to get the most out of the financial literacy, sexual and reproductive health, and life skills programmes created for them by Radio Publique Africaine, the girls listened enthusiastically and participated actively as I conducted the training.
Despite the interpretation time lag – from French to Kirundi and Swahili – the girls were bursting with questions about the radios and the Guardian Agreements. They were impatient to know why only one person had been selected as the safe-keeper of the radio, and if it was a fair process in the Solidarity Groups, as the group’s savings are kept in a locked box that has three padlocks, held by three different girls. The girls, part of a CARE International’s village savings and loans project in Burundi, were some of the most outspoken, articulate and interactive beneficiaries that I have come across in my training sessions and were a real pleasure to work with.
The Iskaha project aims to educate girls to access safe savings and financial resources, as well as improve life skills and social support systems, to enable them to steer the transitions from adolescence to adulthood.
Hi, Chhavi.
Up to the point of reading this feedback, pls give your self a pat on a back. you have actually changes these girls lives. What connect me so much to this story is the fact that I went from studying on karosene light and candles all through my childhood to secondary school. I was one of these girls, but I got lucky after many efforts. I completely understand the culture and environments. In that sense, I get your vision. It is quite cost effective to teach these girls financial literacy. I will build their morale and confidence. Given a chance, I can teach them GAAP in certain area of controls. These Eighty will transform how NGO report to their funders in a uniforminity. We will teachthem how to run a business.
Now favor is the lights, if i had this with me, probably I would be a scientist. Also, I think, if i help you with this project, i might get a chance to meet my favor actor Tom Hanks. I cant believe this. that is actually tom? you gotta be in Los Angeles, to know the dude. he is a cool dude. who does not like tom? Actually, you can come here and i will make a fundrising event for you? this is my town.
Comment by Yasser Mziba — October 24, 2010 @ 12:19 am