| From: |
Beatrice Achieng Nas [ profile ] |
| Subject: |
Want to know or be part of the exciting opportunity of mentoringAfrican unprivileged girls from January 2013? Here is Rural Girl ChildMentorship Uganda (RGCM Uganda)
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| Sent: |
Jun 4th, 2012 - 12:58:47 |
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For decades, 98% of the children and especially girls in rural Ugandan
communities have been unable to complete high school. Only 0.5% will
continue further for a tertiary training and graduate at a diploma level.
This is due to the effects of chronic poverty, HIV, cultural beliefs that
education is wasted on girls, and domestic violence.
Although these girls currently live in situations where they have little
hope for a future that doesnt include poverty and/or marriage at a young
age, they have dreams of becoming educated, independent women who can
effect change in Uganda in a variety of ways.
Rural Girl Child Mentorship Uganda (RGCM Uganda) project is a one on one
girl-to-mentor project aimed at empowering Ugandan girls through financial
assistance for continued education, shared knowledge and wisdom, and
creative thinking. Each rural Ugandan girl will be connected to a single
mentor who will help nurture their vision for a brighter future. Our goal
for 2012 is to find mentors from around the globe for 40 intelligent and
motivated rural Ugandan girls.
*Why One girl to One mentor project?*
As the Founder of Rural Girl Child Mentorship Uganda (RGCM Uganda) project,
I have empathy for these girls. Ten years ago, I had little hope of
attaining an education or acquiring a decent job. After staying home for
two years due to a lack of school fees, I was extremely fortunate to find a
mentor in the United States. She helped me finish my high school education
and continued to support me in many ways while I pursued my dream of a
bachelors degree in Information Technology. Now that I have graduated, I
have a good job and am able to support my mother and my 17 nieces and
nephews. I am also able to assist my community.
Recently I was selected by World Pulse to be one of the three world-wide
awardees to speak to audiences in five major cities in the United States.
World Pulse is an action media network powered by women from 185 countries,
with a goal to lift and unite womens voices to accelerate their impact for
the world.
These personal experiences are why I feel so strongly about the value of
mentorship for promising Ugandan girls. I have seen first-hand what a
difference having a mentor can make, and want to make this opportunity
available to others.
I believe everybody has the potential to live a better life. Given
Opportunity, Education and Motivation, ANYONE can become someone admirable.
Nobody is a NOBODY; everybody is SOMEBODY.
Below are some of the links that would help you to know more about me
A podcast interview:
http://www.futureprimitive.org/?powerpress_pinw=2313-podcast
A panel with Gloria Steinem: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiiORDrgVJw
Contribution to Women leadership: http://vimeo.com/m/31171945
Blogs/blog: http://worldpulse.com/node/46561
World Pulse tour: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvg6Ybc-d-k&sns=fb
*Benefits/advantages of One girl to One mentor project;*
One-on-one mentorship and sponsorship of a promising rural Ugandan girl.
Helping a girl attain education she could not otherwise afford. This will
help prevent forced early marriages, and provide a pathway to the
achievement of dreams and career goals.
This is an opportunity for direct involvement where the mentor is able to
easily see the impact of their support for the girl they choose to support.
The mentor has the opportunity of visiting the girl and/or her family, if
they so wish (in a group with other mentors) once a year. Visits are not
mandatory.
There is direct communication between the girl and the mentor. Initially
this will be done through snail mail. However, in the near future, we will
set up a communications center where the girls will have access to
computers and the internet in order to facilitate communication with their
mentors through the social medias (emails, Skype, Facebook, Twitter, blogs,
etc.) At the moment we are limited by resources.
*Criteria for Mentorship The Mentors;*
A minimum of one girl per mentor.
The length of the mentorship shall be left up to the girl and her
sponsor, although it is hoped that it will last throughout her education.
Either can terminate the relationship with proper notice if necessary.
A mentor shows commitment to provide the girl with emotional and
financial support, and to provide guidance and suggestions to assist her in
achieving her goals.
Both the girl and her mentor may blog or share their experiences, stories
and successes using the social media.
The mentor is able to cultivate the girls talents and creativity.
Anyone from across the globe can become a mentor as long as they are able
to mentor and educate the girl with strategic leadership knowledge and
skills.
A mentor can come from any country in the world.
A mentor may involve her/his family and friends during the mentorship
period.
A mentor may select up to 5 girls, ranked in order of preference, in case
their first pick is already taken.
A mentor commitment form shall be provided upon selection of the girl to
be mentored.
*Criteria for Mentorship The girls;*
Only girls from rural, impoverished families will be considered. The
following will guide the evaluation of the applicants:
Each girl will write a short essay on their current life, explain how
theyve overcome roadblocks thus far, and identify their dreams and goals.
Here are the Essays
Joining or in high school level
Promising performance in class and may also be participating in sports
activities.
The girl under normal circumstances may live with her parents/caretakers
while attending a day school, but in many cases a boarding school may be a
better choice due to safety concerns and distance.
Be willing to communicate to their mentors as often as possible.
For both parties, there shall be a yearly evaluation of whats been
accomplished. At this time, goals will set for the coming year.
We suggest that mentors provide school fees for the girls and the
parents/guardians shall be responsible for scholastic materials, the
feeding of their children and meeting their basic needs. This is to involve
the parents/guardians in the girls education and personal development. It
shall be my responsibility to receive and document the money submitted for
each girl, and to pay their school fees. This will ensure that the money is
used for the purpose it was provided for.
Wondering how to become a mentor? Contact me at biitry (at) gmail.com if you
would like to become a mentor in our next intake [for January2013.]
Because our project is widely spreading, already over 400 girls have
already preregistered for 2013 intake. We will select 40 or less depending
on the number of mentors who will have showed interest.
Todate we have 38 Mentors from Australia, Europe and the United States who
are mentoring 40 rural Ugandan girls. Here is the list our 2012 Mentors and
Mentees
For more information, please send an email to biitry (at) gmail.com
Join our group facebook:http://www.facebook.com/groups/rgcm.uganda
"Like" our fan page and get instant updates:
http://www.facebook.com/RGCMUganda
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