Girls Program Updates

Its only February but 2011 has already been an exhilarating year for the AGYA Girls Program. Firstly, the Girls Program is announcing the 10 high-school girls who have been selected to receive scholarships this year. Scholarship funds are provided by AGYA’s partner, the Century City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. We are honored to inform our supporters that, after a competitive application process, the following AGYA Girls will receive full-year academic scholarships from AGYA:

Above: Scholarship recipients with AGYA Co-Founder Divinity Barkley Matovu.


 

Above: 1st time scholar, Noeline Mukisa

Above: 1st time scholar, Flavia Nakatudde



Above: 2nd time scholar, Shamira Naiga



Above: 1st time scholar: Sarah Nanono



Above: 2nd time scholar, Shamirah Nansubuga



Above: 1st time scholar: Shakirah Namatovu



Above: 2nd time scholar, Racheal Nankya



Above: 1st time scholar, Faridah Nanziri



Above: 2nd time scholar, Aisha Kyebakkuwadde

In a special display of sisterly affection, AGYA Girls Scholar Sharon Naluwagga has decided to forfeit her scholarship to benefit newcomer Jackie Kasiime who lost her mother on February 9, 2011. The death of her mother has left Jackie as an orphan. In addition to paying Jackie's school fees, AGYA plans to provide for her other needs such as housing, food, clothing, etc.

Above: 1st time scholar, Jackie Kasiime

In other news, Happy Namutebi has taken on the role of leading the Girls Program. After only five weeks in her current position, Happy has done an excellent job keeping the AGYA Girls on track for their e-curriculum with their mentors from Delta Sigma Theta.

Above: Happy gets trained on Microsoft Excel with Volunteer Jordyn Wells at AGYA's Community Center.

Above: Happy facilitates a meeting with mothers of the AGYA Girls Scholars.

Above: AGYA Girls Scholar Racheal with her mother at AGYA's Community Center.

Above: AGYA Girls Scholar Shakirah with her mother at AGYA's Community Center.

Above: Happy participates in a film workshop.

Happy has also been instrumental in the implementation of AGYA’s plan to expand the scope of the girls program which includes networking with local mentors within Kampala, enhanced computer skills development and outreach to girls living in Nabulagala and neighboring slums. Happy has also been working collaboratively with Uganda’s Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development to make sure that the AGYA Girls Program is in line with key target objectives for girls education and the Functional Adult Literacy program which teaches illiterate adults, with a focus on women, to read and write.

Thanks to Happy’s leadership, the Girls Program will be partnering with 10x10: EDUCATE GIRLS, CHANGE THE WORLD which is a multi-dimensional global action campaign that uses media to drive engagement around the proven fact that educating and empowering girls kick-starts a dramatic multiplier effect of change for their families, communities, and whole countries. AGYA is also exploring partnership with She’s The First, a not-for-profit helping girls worldwide be first in their family to graduate.

On February 5, 2011, the AGYA Girls Members attended a workshop/discussion at Kampala’s Imperial Royale Hotel. Organized by local women’s organization, MEMPROW, the inter-generational meeting featured discussion topics such as sexual reproductive health, social entrepreneurship, women in leadership, and education. With more than 150 women and teen girls present, the event was truly empowering and inspiring. After meeting with MEMPROW’s Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Hilda Tadria, AGYA plans to attend MEMPROW’s monthly discussions to gain access to information, resources, and local mentors.

Above: AGYA Girls outside of Kampala's Imperial Royale Hotel after the MEMPROW meeting.

AGYA will also be assisting a 4-person film crew from New York with their documentary, “This Woman’s Work” which takes an in-depth, comparative look at the daily struggles and triumphs of African-American and Ugandan teen mothers. This represents a unique opportunity for AGYA to give young Ugandan women the opportunity to share their stories and voice their views and opinions about the issue of teen pregnancy. When the film is completed later this year, AGYA will host a private screening for the participants and their families in Kampala. Additionally, AGYA will help to establish a fundraising campaign connected to the film – all monies raised will be distributed equally to the mothers to cater for their children’s educational, nutritional, and medical expenses.

If you would like to support scholarships for Ugandan girls by making a contribution to the AGYA Girls Program, please CLICK HERE to make an online donation via AGYA Co-Founder Divinity Barkley Matovu’s fundraising platform.