Across Malawi, girls are vulnerable to teen pregnancy and early marriage, resulting in loss of education, freedom, independence and safety.
GIRLS GROWING TOGETHER supports girls to GROW THEIR MINDS, THEIR BODIES, THEIR SUPPORT SYSTEMS AND THEIR ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE
Primary School students participate in after school classes to learn life skills and reproductive health, and to meet career role models who will inspire their love of education and their hope for the future
During COVID school closures, team sports like netball became essential for girls to stay connected. The teams are a fabulous way to keep the girls engaged, to keep developing their confidence and self worth, and to keep them out of trouble!
High school students and girls who are no longer in school gather in the community to discuss topics including sexual health, relationships and keeping safe. Parent Mentors and local leaders are recruited to support a healthy environment in their homes.
Girls learn a series of income generating skills, including baking, sewing, jewelry-making and launch their own Business Clubs, generating profit to support their education and their lives.
UNICEF reports that in Malawi 50% of girls are married before they are 18 years old, and 9% before they are 15.
Among the 150 girls who have participated in our school-based programs since 2018, there have been only six marriages and one pregnancy - despite a country-wide surge in teen marriages during COVID-related school shutdowns.
As we focus on inspiring younger girls to stay in school, we support older girls to graduate successfully from high school with increased opportunities and economic independence.
Lydia is a high school teacher with a passion for girls empowerment, who refused to watch her students dropping out of school without trying to make a difference.
Women Together supported Lydia as a Global Scholar to develop her ideas into what is now Girls Growing Together.
Lydia continues to lead GGT with creativity and tireless excitement, and one day dreams of building her own school for girls!
THE NEXT LEVEL FOR GGT
Building a Girls in Business Vocational Skills Center including a Digital Lab, Mechanics Lab, Baking Lab, Tailoring Lab and Carpentry Lab to give our girls the skills they need to become business bosses!
DONATE NOW to Girls Growing Together support this project.
Meet Lydia Maseko - Creator of Girls Growing Together