Beautiful Inside & Out.

The younger LitClub girls were totally engrossed in their art work as we started on the topic of Sisterhood. The girls were very creative in their work, and were opened to new adventures as well as possibilities that were to come during our session. To start, the girls all did friendship stories. On a piece of paper, they drew special memories they had of their friends. I am excited to see what they will come up with in the next class as we learn all the wonderful new games and engage in the different activities as we learn how important it is to have close, trusting relationship with each other.

*Submitted by Girls LitClub facilitator in Kibera, Kenya, Prisca

The Uweza Aid Foundation Visits the Kibera Boys LitClub

This past Sunday, the LitWorld Boys LitClub had visitors from Uweza Aid Foundation- a nonprofit organization that fights the cycle of poverty in Kibera. They nurture and build upon the already-existing capabilities and resourcefulness of Kenyans through community-based empowerment programs. This organization has a couple of programs, one of them being Journalism Club which interested most of our boys. Nurturing talents being one of our priorities, we had to heed to the calls of the boys in our club who are interested in journalism as a future carreer. The interaction was cordial and really engaging. It brought into focus the beauty of investigating and reporting of events, issues and trends to a broad audience which is the eager society of Kibera, keeping them abreast with unending stories in the villages.

~ Jeff

 

The Things We Love, by the Baguio Girls LitClub

It was certainly a stress reliever for the Girls Club over at Save Our School Children Foundation, Inc. (SOSCFI) in Baguio City. The majority of the girls were already preparing for their final exams the following week, so they were thankful to have a chance to take a breather from their studies in school! After taking a brief hiatus from the Girls Club due to conflicts with their school schedules, the Girls Club took off and there was lots of catching up to do, which of course, included a lot of laughing!


For this session, we talked about Esteem, and the things that we love. Something that was interesting was that we noticed we loved many of the same things! Some of the girls wrote poems and narratives, while others drew pictures to describe the things they love.

What do the girls in the Baguio City Girls Club love? Here were some of their responses:

Singing and painting
Dancing
Playing guitar and singing
Pleasing God
Technology – using the computer to write articles and stories
My family and their loving care
Bonding with friends

The Girls Club also got a chance to separate into two groups and start writing their Music Poems to share with one another and of course, with the other Girls Clubs around the globe.

After looking at the other entries on the Girls Club blog, we were all inspired to continue and see other connections that we have with other girls around the world! Until next time, Mabuhay!

*This entry was submitted by Crystal, our Girls LitClub Facilitator in Baguio, Philippines. Thank you Crystal!

Painters in Kibera: Ambitions, Dreams and Realities through Art

Painting and drawing are very important facets in the learning process of every kid. It reveals the childlike thoughts they acquire as young learners. It also generates an avenue for the kids to explicitly articulate their world views.

This past Sunday, the Litworld Boys LitClub had the chance to revisit these foundational elements towards the establishment of a stronger ‘literacy block’. The Boys made paintings that illustrated their ambitions, dreams and hopes. Some of the paintings also communicated their novel experiences as dwellers of the Kibera Slums and the challenges they face daily. Some indicated their obsessions, emotions and the realities that put them in touch with their surrounding. The drawings were like expressive gestures that to them drives home a permanent message for those who care to look and listen.

 

 

 

 

 

 


The occasion also served as a proper chance for some of them to sharpen their skills on their dream careers and a platform to demonstrate their talents. 'Painting washes away the soul the dirt of everyday’s life' - Pablo Picasso.

~ Jeff

 

Young Heroines.

Zyra's shirt says it all!

Meet Zyra, one of the newest members of the Girls LitClub in Manila (at the Real Life Foundation). At twelve years old, she is poised and well-spoken, a brave voice with all the makings of a heroine protagonist from a novel. Zyra, my new role model.

This past weekend, we did interviews with each other, pairing up two girls to ask questions about life, friendship, and what it means to be a young woman with aspirations. Zyra was my partner, and it was through her that I saw the incredible beauty of a young woman growing into herself, recognizing her potential, and owning her courage.

Girls conducting interviews with each other

She told me of her pride for her country, that even if she could go anywhere in the world, she'd want to stay here, in the Philippines, the homeland we both share, because she believes in this place. She says she knows everyone here wants to escape, but she wants to be here, to help her people, to help them realize how beautiful this country is. I was awed by her insight, a maturity well beyond her years.

She told me that if she could have it her way, she would give the gift of education to every person she meets, because education is the key to a future. In a country of extremely polarized class differences & divisions, Zyra, at twelve years old, recognizes the importance of equality, passionately sharing with me her desire to put up a scholarship program one day, in her attempt to somehow even out the class divide.

Her vision astounded me. Her conviction wrapped my heart with hope. These young women prove that there is something worth fighting for. They are our heroines.

*Submitted by our Girls LitClub Facilitator and LitCorps Ambassador in the Philippines, Ruby Veridiano

What A Vision from Girls LitClub at 826 Valencia!

The Girls Club in San Francisco has been meeting every Wednesday evening in the writing room at 826 Valencia, an inspirational place where students from all over the city come to practice their writing skills.

 

In our first meeting, we used our creativity, words, and images to explore our understanding of the seven strengths. We created beautiful collages and made positive connections between the many ideas of confidence, blooming, believing in oneself, the courage to ask questions, curiosity, friendship, kindness, and community.

 

We are excited to create new friendships with each other while learning about the experiences of girls all over the world!

*Thank you to our SF Girls LitClub facilitator, Terry, for her energy and positivity, and for submitting these wonderful photos!

Girls LitClubs in Nairobi Help More Young Women Attend College

For the past two and half years I have been working with a children’s home in the Kayole slum of Nairobi, Kenya. I founded R.E.A.D. (Resources for Education Advancement and Development) an organization that buys textbooks for children’s homes around Nairobi and provides scholarships to students for university. Being that the organization is new, the number of students we have in university is very few and until this winter all of them were male.

The main home we work with has a much larger ratio of boys to girls and until this year, there weren’t any girls who had the scores to qualify for a degree course.


While in Nairobi this December, one of the girls asked me why it was that I had no women in school yet. She told me what it would mean to the other girls to see a female sent off to university. It would be an inspiration and a motivating force. We needed to get the girls to catch up with the boys, to get them excited about learning, working towards future goals and teaching them how to raise their voices for change. Girls LitClub was an incredible opportunity to boost the confidence of the girls and help lift their scores in the
classroom.


We started our Girls LitClub meetings with grades five through seven. The girls were beyond excited to read, write, and communicate; they had never had an opportunity before that the boys hadn’t gotten. Of course they were thrilled to have a club of their very own.

My favorite meeting was when we read the story Chrysanthemum. After reading we talked about what makes us different. For the first time I saw the girls really open up. “My nose is big.” “I’m a Masai.” “I’m missing my front tooth.” “I have two sisters and a brother.” “I can sing.” Their responses were so pure and unique it was a pleasure to see them break out of their shells by embracing the very qualities that make them the special people who they are.

I handed out journals to the girls to use for LitClub purposes and for their own independent creative writing. I encouraged them to write their own stories, create fictional tales, and try their hand at poetry. The stories that they shared were so fresh and real it broke my heart to read what they had been through but it also warmed me to see their strength and progress.

Here is an excerpt from Lydia’s (grade 5) journal:

Why I am in school?

I am in school to help myself and learn when I grew up. I don't want see myself selling cabbage or
borrowing money or other things. I don't want to see my brothers suffering, especially Ronnie because he is
the last born in a loving brother of my heart. I want him to live a happy life and I want him to know that he
has a person who can take care of him.



I'm also learning to fill my promise that I promised myself that whatever happens I'll work as hard as I can
help my family. I am also in school the sake of other children. When I see children outside eating dirty
roots, sleeping in dirty places, I usually feel pity for them, but I have no choice but to only leave them there.
Children usually suffer and that's why I learn in school, to help them.

It was on Saturday that I had dream that was sitting in the shade of the tree and suddenly a big bird
appears. "What do you like" it said. Then I said I would like to fly at the sky. It took me with big wings and
flew with the high we passed across rivers and mountains.

“I want to go home now” I cried, but the bird was flying comfortably with me on him and it took me more
far more high. Then we came to a tree with a beautiful. The bird was very tired and sat on a branch to rest.
Then I started shouting that I wanted to leave me and I was hungry. It put me down on the branch and went
to bring fruits. As I was sitting snake appeared and then I woke up.

Unfortunately I was not able to stay in Kenya for the full course of the Girls LitClub. To take my place I trained a young lady named Teresa. Teresa is the first girl from the home to obtain the scores needed to enter university for a degree. This spring Teresa will be setting an example for all the girls in the home as a R.E.A.D. scholarship recipient attending University of Nairobi.

She emailed this week, “To be sincere, the reading club has developed the girls confidence and they are also working hard in school.” I am excited to see the long term effects of Girls LitClub in their exam scores and overall confidence. I look forward to having many more women attend university and spreading the Girls LitClub to new homes around Nairobi on my next visits.

Thank you to Kayli Stollak for all the positive work you do on behalf of women, and for submitting this beautiful post.

 

 

The Perfect Hosts

The Girls LitClub had the pleasure of hosting some really special guests this past Sunday. First, there were Grace and Millicent, high school students under the Children of Kibera Foundation sponsorship program. They met and talked briefly to the girls about high school, which the girls were keen to hear. The Girls LitClub also got to share a little of what they learn in their sessions on Sundays.

Then, there were the Nortons and the Barkers. During both visits, the girls displayed to our guests what confident girls they were, great team work and showed tremendous love for what they enjoy doing. This was reflected on how they prepared and presented their poems and songs, keeping their guests entertained. Both the Nortons and the Barkers also got to visit some of the girls as they used the computer facilities at
school, where they were working on their online journals. Everyone that gets to meet the girls can always tell how special they all are.

Submitted by Prisca, Girls LitClub Facilitator in Kibera

Eliza's First Day of School

We have recently partnered with the Kenya Education Fund to make it possible for this brilliant young woman with a passion for learning to attend secondary school. Eliza's first day of school was all smiles! We are smiling with her, so proud of her new journey. Eliza is the first girl in her entire region to go to secondary school. We cannot wait to hear about all the possibilities and experiences she will embark upon on this new journey!

Female Athlete to Guest at the Harlem Polo Grounds!

Did you know curling is an official sport of the Winter Olympics?

Via Wikipedia, "Curling is a sport in which players slide stones across a sheet of ice towards a target area. It is related to bowls, boule and shuffleboard. Two teams, each of four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished granite stones, also called "rocks", across the ice curling sheet towards the house, a circular target marked on the ice."

(Nina is second to the left)

It just so happens that we know a curling athlete, and she has participated in the Olympic trials in 2009! Her name is Nina Reiniger, and she's currently working with LitWorld to develop curriculum for the LitClubs we're launching with Partners in Health in the near future.

She'll be visiting our Girls Club at the Harlem Polo Grounds very soon, and we're excited to have her share her knowledge and her accomplishments to inspire the Harlem girls!

To learn more about curling, you can go here.

Things We Love.

This post was submitted by our Girls Club Facilitator in Ghana, Emefa.

Today’s meeting was centered on the strength courage.

The check-in question got girls to share some fun moments of the previous day. Girls talked about exciting play moments, chats, and moments with friends.

Courage was introduced to the girls as the strength of the day, and the big idea to do something that you know is right, though it may be difficult.

Our read aloud poem, “Honey, I Love” by Eloise Greenfield, was an interesting one for girls. They enjoyed the fun way that the poet writes this poem.

The class then went on to discuss some of the things the poet loves. Many of the girls indicted they love some of the things as the poet loves too.

Our writing activity for the day got girls to write a description of something that makes them really happy, something they truly love. Girls gave various descriptions of the things they love with illustrations to show in detail the things they love. Together the class wrote down each girl’s loved thing on a chart sheet titled “The Things We Love”.

Girls agreed that there are things they love that other people don’t love.

Girls said it is annoying to them when they love something and someone else doesn’t seem to care about it. (For this response girls were led to consider the essence of tolerating other people’s views and preferences.)

Girls also said when they love something and others also care about it, they feel like being copied and competed with. (Here girls were helped to consider the importance of sharing, co-existence and the reality of commonality.)

Girls also believe we can show our care for one another by supporting and encouraging them. Similarly, in showing we care for the things other people love, girls believe support and encouragement is key.

Even the Little Things Create Big Change

 

LitWorld Girls Club is engaged in activities revolving around seven strengths, i.e. compassion, sisterhood, confidence, hope, curiosity and self esteem. Through various activities modeled around these strengths, the girls are able to learn and play together in a safe environment removed from their difficult backgrounds at home. Our girls however do not simply view themselves as underprivileged victims in a tough society. They recognize that they are young leaders with the power to effect changes in the community too.

Being away from their old neighborhoods strengthens their resolve to do the little they can to make a difference where it matters most. Last Sunday, the girls took a walk around their club surroundings in a group interactive activity that enabled them to point out anything that they felt was undesirable in their environment. From illegal and low-hanging power lines to carelessly disposed garbage, murky streams of water laced with sewage and human waste dotting the alleys; the problems were many and glaring.

They also helped come up with different suggestions on how their neighborhood can be improved. They then came together and discussed on how they could bring change and find a solution to the issues they had noted. Since most of these issues mentioned were not things they could immediately solve, they decided that
change must start with them so they took up and acted on one task that all could immediately perform. This was to collect all the rubbish they could lay their hands on and dispose of it correctly.

They were excited to take up this activity and were pleased with the successful work they had accomplished. At the end of the day, all the girls celebrated the 13th birthday of one of the club’s dedicated members, Diana. Their efforts to clean up the surroundings of the school for the day were truly the icing on the cake!

Thank you Prisca, for an empowering entry. We are proud of you and your Girls Club!

The Maps of Our Hearts: Girls Club Kenya

 

The new girls in grade four and five are finished with the topic of belonging. They read the poem, My People  by Langston Hughes, discussed it, and did art work to show what the maps of our hearts look like. We had such a wonderful time getting to know how each of us belong in the society, and the relationships that bond us with the different people in our lives. - From Girls Club Facilitator Prisca

 

Thank you Prisca for sharing these wonderful photos of their heart maps!

Passionate Discussions of Peace with Girls LitClub Jerusalem

 Submitted by Leah, Girls LitClub Facilitator in Jerusalem:

This past week there was a terrible criminal act of hatred at the Hand in Hand school. Last Tuesday night, extremists spray painted “Death to Arabs” across the walls of the school. The school’s poignant response can be read here: http://www.handinhandk12.org/News/Vandalism

This week our Girls LitClub focused on the girls’ personal emotional responses following an attack such as this and what messages the girls would like to respond with. We spoke at length about the importance of dialogue, confronting hatred, and our personal responsibility to change this kind of violent thinking.

This week’s project began with a simple question, “If you could send the world a message, what would it be?” From here we dove into passionate discussion about Israel, politics, peace, hope, and our dreams for the future. The girls had 20 minutes to create their own “graffiti” posters to share their own messages with the world. Messages such as, “Wars are ridiculous, no one wins!” “We are a piece of peace” “Shoot in video games, love in life” “Believe” and “We will overcome.”

The girls wanted to share a few of their posters with all of you:

Girls LitClub in Port Chester Receive A Special Visit

The Girls LitClub in Port Chester, New York, recently received a visit from an empowering female role model. Blanca Lopez, president of the Board of Education in Port Chester, stopped by JFK elementary to speak to the Girls LitClub. The girls prepared questions for Ms. Lopez, and were able to learn from her experiences.

We want to give a special thank you to Yvette, the Girls LitClub facilitator in Port Chester for arranging for this day!

Meeting New Friends in Kenya

The Gilbert Family (Pat, Paul, Rachel and Aunt Julie), from Boston and Chicago were our guests this past Sunday. They are the second guests the girls have had the pleasure of meeting this year. The family was more than happy to be in Kenya and to meet these wonderful girls who they spent the afternoon with. The girls had prepared presentations to make, one of the poems being "My People" by Langston Hughes, which aids them in understanding one of the topics they are currently learning (BELONGING) and was presented by Grace, one of the new girls.


Afterwards, the girls gave our visitors a tour to part of their neighborhood where the family enjoyed spending the time with them and getting to know the girls better. At the end of the day, everybody was enriched in one way or the other and we would be more that happy to host the Gilberts any day whenever they visit Kenya!

Submitted by Prisca, Girls LitClub Facilitator in Kenya

Greatness in the Making

Some of the power women finally got to visit and meet some of the new girls this past Sunday. They were very happy to have the opportunity to know more about the group they had heard so much about. In future sessions, the girls will be doing some beading and knitting, activities that they also enjoy and love. This opportunity gave them some insight on what to look forward to in our future sessions. They are now equipped with the all the seven strengths, and LitWord in general. We are all very happy with this new beginning; they are a wonderful group of girls!

Submitted by Prisca, our Girls Litclub Facilitator in Kibera, Kenya

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