Sauti Ya Dada (My Sister’s Voice)
Recently, the Mbazzi Riverside School hosted an inspiring session of Sauti Ya Dada (SYD), based on a curriculum designed to empower girls and led by our partners at the Creative Action Institute. The session saw an attendance of 25 girls, each bringing their unique hopes and aspirations. They expressed a collective desire for academic success, self-discovery, building schools, promoting gender equality, learning new skills, and gaining the confidence to speak publicly. The girls participated in activities that fostered a sense of community, encouraged self-expression, and promoted continued learning.
The main objective was to help the girls connect with one another. The activity, aptly named "Know Your Sister," began with the girls pairing up and interviewing each other. They asked questions about their preferred names, their community origins, their proudest achievements, their hopes and fears, and what they would change in the world if they could.
The girls opened up about their fears, which included being teased, public speaking, losing their scholarships, missing the school trip to Nairobi, and being talked about or left out. However, they also proudly shared their achievements, like debating, dancing, playing football, counseling others, participating actively in school, and public speaking made it on this list as well.
The girls expressed strong desires for change, highlighting issues such as modern slavery, racial discrimination, parental separation, corruption, negative attitudes, loneliness, and the general state of affairs in Uganda. They envisioned a world where equality and positivity prevail, where families stay together, and where everyone can thrive without fear of discrimination or corruption.
Each girl in the Sauti Ya Dada circle received a dignity kit containing sanitary towels and other essential items. They also gained the opportunity to participate in the Sauti Ya Dada podcast, where they could share their voices and opinions on important issues. Each year, the girls look forward to receiving printed workbooks, focusing on topics like leadership development, sexual reproductive health, and climate change.
The girls meet for Sauti Ya Dada twice a month for two-hour sessions, guided by their mentor and teacher through various activities aligned with the program's objectives.
The session concluded with important lessons learned, and anticipation is high for further engagement and empowerment. The Sauti Ya Dada session at Mbazzi Riverside School was a resounding success, creating a vibrant community of empowered young girls ready to make a difference in their world.
