The Accra Girls LitClub Comes Together as Sisters

  

We began the meeting with the Hello song to warm up our voices and to create a sisterly environment. Then we played the name game to welcome four new LitClub members and we did an informal check-in. We each shared a funny moment that happened since our last meeting.

We read aloud a poem by Fredrick Douglas, "Love, Peace and Joy." As we dicussed the poem, the girls felt the poet was communicating an important message: We all need to work for peace, love and joy every day. Especially as a sister in the LitClub.

For our next activity, we discussed the different ways we are connected, and used LitWorld's Seven Strengths to think about our world in a new way. We each made a collage to express what the seven strengths mean to us. The girls' collages were touching and beautiful. 

We had a terrific time together and finished with a praise circle and sang the Farewell song, promising to see each other soon.

-- Submitted by Girls LitClub Facilitator Emefa

The Kibera Boys LitClub Explores the New Club Hub

It was a happy moment for the Boys LitClub on Sunday last week as they gathered at the new LitWorld Club Hub. The joy and enthusiasm the boys expressed about owning a new space showed that they are eager to make good use of these resources. 

The LitWorld Club Hub offers a library full of extraordinary children's literature, a computer lab and spacious TV room, and a clinic. This is a transforming space, within these walls, the Girls and Boys LitClubs will enhance their literacy levels, social skills, physcial skills and other knowledge such as computer and library use.

On the same day, the Boys Club received books and stationary generously donated by friends of the Children of Kibera Foundation, the Norton and Doddys families. Among the books were the Adventures of TinTin and Adventures of Asterix series. The stationary will be used during each session to create stories and art projects.

 ~ Jeff

Opening the New LitWorld Club Hub in Kibera

 

This past Sunday was very exciting for the LitClubs here in Kibera. We got to use our new space for the first time, it was so much fun! A lot was happening; the girls got a grand tour of their splendid and beautiful new center, a place for their imagination to run wild. They also got to read books from the wonderful new library, including those generously donated by the Doddy and Norton families.

We welcomed a special guest from the United States, Donna Fillman. She is visiting Kibera for the first time and is collecting the life stories of the residents to share with friends abroad. Donna was very open and she and the girls happily exchanged life stories. The girls were overjoyed to realize that sharing our experiences helps us feel connected to each other.

Winding up the day's session, we spent time creating amazing artwork. The girls made drawings and posters to decorate the walls of their new home, and to express how happy they were.

The environment definitely provides a setting that feels like a good place for them to be.

-- Submitted by Girls LitClub Facilitator Prisca

Are Girls the Same All Over the World?

This week, the Bungoma Girls LitClub were studying curiosity, one of LitWorld's seven strengths. To explore our curiosity, we asked ourselves the question: are girls the same all over the world?

This was a challenging question, and one that the girls had never stopped to think about. Do physcial and geographical differences make us different from one another, or do we all face the same challenges as teenage girls?

The girls were curious!

We perused several magazines to look at the faces of girls and women. We read about their weaknesses and strengths and made a collage of the images on manilla paper. This part of the investigation was very exciting!

The findings of our curiosity quest let us to conclude: "All Girls Are Flowers!"

We had a wonderful time together and look forward to our next session.

-- Submitted by Girls LitClub Facilitator Rose

Welcome to My World - Girls LitClub Kibera

This past Sunday afternoon, the Girls LitClub started off with a bang! Our day started with special guests, Emily and Cate. The girls were so excited to have visitors and welcomed them with open arms. The day's activities were perfect! First we played games that allowed the girls to mingle and learn about each other. 

Next was a writing activity called "My Perfect World." The girls were given time to think and reflect about how, if given the chance, they would change the world to make it perfect.

Each girl shared her vision of a perfect world, and it was amazing to hear the beautiful and inspiring ideas that shaped their creations. Everybody expressed so much love, warmth and hope.

We finished by reading one of our favorite books, Stewart Little. The girls were attentive as we read a few chapters about this adventurous mouse. They could hardly get enough of Stewart but became nervous, even sad, when everyone thought Stewart had fallen into a mouse hole. Relief quickly swept over them once Stewart was rescued. It was a great session!

-- Submitted by Girls LitClub Facilitator Prisca

The LitWorld Egg Project Launches in Bungoma!

 

The Bungoma Kenya LitWorld Egg Project for the Girls LitClub has launched! This project means a lot to the girls. Asked why they look forward to this day with such expectation, the girls could not hide their joy. They have high wishes. They hope from this project a few of their personal problems will be solved, and more girls will be able to meet their school levies.

The chicken house has ventilators and sawdust is spread evenly on the floor whenever the room is cleaned. It has a mesh wire fence around it where the chickens move freely, feeding on natural plants during the afternoons.

Like the girls, the chickens are also happy and accept kisses from their keepers. Many thanks to LitWorld for initiating this project, there are a lot of lessons to be learned from it.

--Submitted by Girls LitClub Facilitator Rose

Great Teamwork: Polo Grounds Community Center LitClub Creates Club Poster

 

This week the younger Polo Grounds Community Center LitClub worked on their official LitClub poster together.

The boys drew pictures and wrote words - "Passion," "Teammate," "Confidence" - that they felt embodied both the LitClub and them individually. Once the poster is completed next week it will be taped up in the hallway outside the door of our LitClub meeting room, to represent the experiences and stories we shared over the course of our LitClub time together.

"What We Care About" - Girls LitClub Kibera

The girls all had their responses to the issues they consider to be important recorded on a colorful chart paper, after they had shared with the whole class as a conclusion to the topic of Kindness. The girls all grabbed glue sticks, newspaper clippings, magazines, markers, and crayons as they went on to stick photographs that represented their ideas as well as thoughts on paper. After their work was neatly put in place, you could see their personal pride of their accomplishments on their delightful young faces.

 
The way I see it when the girls can go home and be proud of what they have accomplished during that day it creates an early momentum, the finest degree of inner tranquility comes from the development of love and compassion. The more we care for the happiness of others, the greater is our own sense of well-being.

--Submitted by Girls LitClub Facilitator Prisca

Young Women in Kibera Identify their Stand on Social Issues

This past Sunday, The LitClub girls here in Kibera started on the topic of kindness, which in many cultures and religions is recognized as a value and is very important for people to be kind to each other, something I think is important for the girls to learn, big acts or small acts of good are valuable because they shape a persons character. During this past lesson we had so much fun exploring kindness in the different ways as the girls got the opportunity to think about life outside their own communities. They all had different thoughts on the different issues that affect us in our world today.

They got to look at different photographs from different magazines and picked photographs that represented their thoughts and later on put their thoughts in to words. It was such an inspiration to read as well as listen all the ideas they wrote down in their personal journals as they shared them with the class, at the end of the session they learned how to practice random acts of kindness.

Surely the children are our future; they have the most beautiful hearts and will no doubt have a positive effect in their community.

I Love Me Posters

 

The day couldn’t have been more perfect for the Girls LitClub. It was sunny and the girls looked
fresh and excited!

We started off with a couple of ice breakers and games just to have the girls relaxed and cormfortable. We then had the girls display their unique moves, talents and great personalities when we did the “bull frog”. It was so much fun and they shared lots of laughter as each of the girls flaunted her special "bull frog' move.

 We shared the great inspiring story of Jessica Cox, a young 25 year old lady who was born without arms. Jessica did not give up on her hopes and dreams but believed in herself and achieved her dreams of being a pilot. The girls were greatly inspired and they really opened up about their dreams, wishes and even their fears. It was a lovely session.

We then had a self-esteem activity, where the girls got to make “I Love Me" posters. This activity aimed to have the girls view themselves and their lives positively and beautifully. They embraced the different parts of their lives such as hopes, dreams, family and careers. They also got to view themselves and express their personal strengths and what they absolutely love about themselves. This activity entailed a lot of reflection and fun as they got to decorate and personalize their posters.     

We wrapped it up with another round of bullfrog; the girls had loved it so much and wanted to do it again! We got to see more moves and share more great moments of unending laughter!!
It was a beautiful day, couldn’t have been more perfect! Untill next time…

Submitted by our Girls LitClub facilitator in Kibera, Prisca

What Can We Do to Help Women Around the World? – Jerusalem Girls LitClub

This week in Jerusalem the girls explored Sisterhood. We began our meeting by reading a beautiful article that appeared in the New York Times last summer. The article tells the story of a group of Jewish Israeli women who sneak Palestinian Arab women out of the West Bank and take them to Tel Aviv to swim in the sea. It is a story of remarkable courage and unlikely friendships. Themes that resonate for the members of Hand in Hand’s first LitClub.
 
The girls were astonished by the bravery of the women and inspired by their acts of courage. They were also stunned to read an American article about the Middle East that discussed real human issues and not just politics. The girls asked each other poignant questions, such as: How are we, as women, responsible for each other? What do all women have in common? What can we do to help women around the world? Although we didn’t solve any major world conflicts today, they decided together the best thing they can do is to continue having these important conversations and to be brave enough to continue to hope for a brighter future.
 
As one of the Arab girls was leaving, she turned back and said to me, “You’re an American Jew and I have more in common with you than I do with most of the men in my family. We talk about real things, things that matter. If that’s not sisterhood I don’t know what is.”

Submitted by our Girls LitClub Facilitator in Jerusalem, Leah Joseph

The Global Poem for Change at Girls LitClub in Kibera, Kenya

GLOBAL POEM FOR CHANGE (Submitted by Girls LitClub Facilitator, Prisca)

It is always wonderful to see the girls sharing all their wonderful and different passions. This Sunday, they contributed to the Global Poem for Change. It was amazing having the girls open up and share their dreams, thoughts, and wishes that they hold very close to their hearts.

All the girls in the different clubs here in Kibera had such wonderful ideas on what they consider to be global issues and all had eye opening ideas on solutions towards solving these issues. The girls had a session where they brainstormed on how everybody can make a difference. It was very empowering just listening to all their suggestions on ways they could make a difference and change the world.

They definitely have beautiful hearts and will have a great impact now and in the future!!

Here is a beautiful and poignant entry from Nancy, a Girls LitClub participant in Kibera:

Poem: "The Empty Page" by Rae of 826 Valencia Girls LitClub

We love this poem by Rae, a Girls LitClub participant at 826 Valencia in San Francisco. Thank you to facilitator Terry Hwang for your work in cultivating young women's voices!

The Polo Grounds Community Center LitClub takes a trip to Scholastic!

Yesterday the younger Boys LitClub from the Polo Grounds Community Center took a trip to the Scholastic Corporation in downtown New York City for an engrossing tour of the facilities, as well as a conversation with Greg Worrell, President of the Scholastic Classroom and Community Group division.

Greg, a wonderful host for the day, talked about his experience working in business and books, and how to achieve your dream in today's complex world. He taught the young men the importance of a warm greeting and firm handshake when meeting new people.

Thank you to Scholastic and Greg Worrell for a truly AMAZING afternoon!

A Space for Girls to Write Freely: 826 Valencia Girls LitClub Wraps Up

We recently wrapped up the Girls’ Club Workshop at 826 Valencia in San Francisco, and I want to acknowledge each of the girls who made up our wonderful group: Althea, Meredith, Jacqueline, Bella, Cera, Sadie Ray, Katie, Zoe, Tiana, Katya, Rae, and Margot.  These bright, expressive girls came to the Girls’ Club with an enthusiasm for storytelling, reading, and writing that we cultivated further in our work together.

Over the course of 6 weeks, we explored the Seven Strengths in colorful collage; laid out heart maps of the people, places, ideas, and things in which we find a sense of belonging; and were inspired by The Dreamer to enlist our curiosity to write new story endings, just to name a few of our activities!  We shared our ideas, created a space for girls to write freely and honestly, and we discovered just how proud we could be of the work we create.

 How amazing to have the opportunity to create community with girls all over the world who share a love of reading and writing! By giving a voice to our ideas and stories, we create positive change in the world.

*We want to give a special thanks to our Girls LitClub facilitator in SF, Terry Hwang, for all the wonderful work she's done at the Girls LitClub at 826 Valencia! Thank you Terry!

Girls LitClub in Manila Find Sanctuary Inside their Journals

My last month in Manila has arrived, and the time has come for me to say goodbye to my Girls LitClub at the Real Life Foundation in Pasig City. I am so proud to say that throughout my time there, I have watched these young women grow more confident with their words, proud of what they have to say, and more loving to one another.

These young women have found a sanctuary inside their journals, eagerly opening them when sessions begin, excited to leave their personal mark on it- whether its their writing or a drawing, they love to leave a reflection of themselves in this special place especially for them. These journals, as I've experienced in my own girlhood, have nurtured me into my own growth, always there as a special friend to take in whatever joy or sadness that needed a place to go, to be. As I watch these young women discover the beauty of their stories inside their own journals, I am glad that these notebooks, and their Girls LitClubs, will leave them with something tangible and real long after I've returned home.

I am convinced, more than ever, in the world inside words. These young women need them, to share them, to listen to them, to find them, in order to discover their own beautiful reflection in each other. I am proud of the sisterhood that has been formed in this Girls LitClub, and it is my dream that these girls will continue to share this circle of support for other young women in the years to come.

Thank you to the staff at the Real Life Foundation for welcoming me here, and for their generous support. I look forward to seeing the LitClubs grow with your community!

*Submitted by our LitCorps Ambassador in Manila, Philippines, Ruby Veridiano

Words Move Them! Our New Girls LitClub in Mashimoni, Kibera.

It was a lovely sunny Sunday afternoon as the girls were welcomed to their very first LitWorld Girls Club meeting. The girls were very excited, but others were more nervous than excited as this was their very first time!

They started off with introductions, icebreakers, and games so that they could relax and get comfortable when it was time to learn the Hello song, which they really loved!

Maureen explained the work and mission of LitWorld and how they would do a lot of exciting reading and writing to make a great impact in the world. They really seemed blown away by the idea that they would get to communicate and connect with the other LitWorld clubs all over the world!

Maureen introduced and explained the seven strengths that are imperative for the club where a great discussion with the girls on them. Each girl got a LitWorld diary that they will be using for the club. Which they spent time decorating with colors, stickers and glitters; they enjoyed this activity so much since each
girl got an opportunity to personalize their book and have it look exactly the way they want them.

They enjoyed it so much that they did not want to leave. It was an incredible day, can’t wait for the next session!

*Submitted by Prisca, who coordinates Girls LitClubs programs in Kibera, Kenya through the Children of Kibera Foundation.

Sweet Mbali

Mbali is a member of our Girls LitClub in Makulele Village, South Africa in partnership with the Sharing to Learn Organization. Here is her photo showing our team member Denise her report card! We admire her pursuit for her potential, and her best self.

We also included her sweet note showing her appreciation for Denise's kindness and presence. Thank you Denise, for the love you share with all those you meet! 

New Proud Member of the LitWorld Makuleke Girls Club

Kateko, Age 9, is a new proud member of the LitWorld Makuleke Girls LitClub in South Africa.

She dreams of being a teacher when she is older.

******

Denise Ortiz, a member of the LitWorld Leadership Team, has been in South Africa for the past few weekssetting up new LitWorld Girls LitClubs in partnership with her organization, Sharing to Learn. A non-profit based out of New York, Sharing to Learn strives to empower communities through education.

She does amazing, powerful work, and we are proud of all that she is doing in the Makuleke Village in South Afrca!

Here is a glimpse of the other young women in her club:

 

Every Moment is an Opportunity to Learn

This Sunday afternoon, we had special visitors from Uweza Foundation journalism club: Rebecca, Christine, and Diana are all high school students who believe in doing positive things that impact positively on their peers and community. 

Reading and writing is an important part of what the girls at LitWorld Girls LitClub are taught, they nurture ideas on how to express themselves. This is an important part of the journalism club as well. It is not all fun and games, but also an interactive and enlightening experience for the girls, especially those that are aspiring to be journalists.

The girls were very involved and were very welcoming to our guests, sharing what they did during their girls club sessions and also having the guests share what they normally do in their club during their weekly sessions. We are definitely looking forward to continuing this newly formed friendship.

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