We may be late.....but we did the Harlem Shake
2013 Dodoma Girls Empowerment Conference Participants
I know I can.....
In May 2013 three volunteers and I hosted the annual Dodoma Girls Empowerment Conference. The conference brought together 40 girls, (ages 15-19), and 4 teacher counterparts, representing 4 secondary schools in Chamwino and Dodoma Urban districts. The conference was hosted at a center in the middle of Dodoma town and activities lasted from early Monday morning until mid-Saturday.
Throughout the week girls participated in a range of events focusing on HIV/AIDS, women's reproduction, family planning, correct and consistent condom use, pad making, income generating activities (peanut butter, jam, and neem lotion), early pregnancy, community theater, teambuilding games, gender roles, and leadership. We had special guest speakers ranging from leaders from the district, a person living with HIV/AIDS, representatives of a local organization, our counterparts and ourselves.
Each morning after chai and uji (porridge), the girls gathered for HARAMBEE. Modeled closely after Freedom Schools, the hour consisted of a motivational song (in English), cheers and chants (in Swahili), recognitions and announcements. The morning sessions were heavy in lecture/guest speakers, while the afternoons focused on a three station rotation concerning IGAs and leadership. By the time nightfall came it was 'pumzika' (rest) time, so the girls indulged in spa night, making reusable pads, movie night, a disco, and a talent show. Disco night was a HUGE success as the girls were allowed to wear street clothes and dance traditional TZ line dances to bongo flava music. Youtube Diamond now. The biggest shock of the week though came with movie night (the girls were shown 'Stick It'). To our genuine surprise and enjoyment the girls LOVED the movie. For a little background, it is really, really difficult to keep a group of 40 girls, from any country, entertained with a single movie-especially in Tanzania. Apparently a gymnastics movie, with a predictable plot line, a girl who sticks her tongue out a lot at men, and Jeff Bridges is just the ticket.
(Above: Playing 'Condom Bomb' and demonstrating condom strength
Below: Mwalimu Maria and PCV Ryan)
Yet probably the coolest part of the week was seeing the incredible growth in the girls. The first day they were shy, nervous, and clinging to their friends from their schools. By Saturday they were saying long goodbyes, taking pictures with new friends, and begging us to let them visit each other on another date. Furthermore, we took a pre-test at the beginning of the week covering a majority of topics we would be studying. At the beginning of the week the highest score on this test was a 11/39 and the lowest, 2/39. By the end of the week the highest score was 38/39 and the lowest 13/39. A phenomenal improvement!
I was lucky to have a wonderful counterpart in the form of Mwalimu Maria. She was active, taught multiple sessions and was there for the girls morning and night. Plus, the other volunteers I worked with-Nora, Ryan and Michelle-were flexible, energetic and the perfect teammates all week. It really is a miracle to be able to work for months (writing grants, supply shopping, preparing speakers and letters) and still love each other at the end of the week.
As always, and in PC Tanzania fashion, there were hiccups and silly stories that are what I will always remember from the week. Ryan teaching the girls the 'Single Ladies' dance, discovering that high school girls have NO IDEA how to put on nail polish properly for spa night, noticing how teenage girls in any country will break 'lights out' rules just to go into each others rooms and giggle profusely, and finding that, yes, some health videos can be far too graphic-were just a few of the many tales. (Left: Early pregnancy theater performance)
My favorite memory however came just as the week was ending. As Kikuyu Secondary (my school) girls were leaving the conference center and walking to the bus stand they started breaking out singing the motivational song.
'Something inside so strong, so strong. I know that I can make it!'
(Below: Nora and I at Jeopardy Game Day)
People were staring, smiling, and truly enjoying themselves as the girls walked the streets of Dodoma singing loudly and proudly. To top it off, when the song was over they didn't skip a beat and went straight into yelling and dancing to the cheers and chants, even as the dala dala left taking them back home.'Tupo Dodoma, tupo Dodoma-acha! Wasichana waseme!'
It was a real reminder of why I'm here and what I'm meant to do. Teaching is my passion and working with women's empowerment is a strong component in my philosophy of education.
An affirmation that despite all the mishaps and low days, there are fantastic, picture perfect moments like that-and the more than dozen throughout the week. Totally and completely worth it.
Wasichana wanaweza!
With the Kikuyu Girls: Rosemary, Fatuma, Catherine, Aisha, Rosemary K., Asha, Shanuni, Fransisca, Karen, Deborah, Mercy, Mwalimu Asha and Mwalimu Maria
Disco night: dancing the 'Wobble' and 'Cupid Shuffle'
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