The Girls of Impact Retreat: Celebrating a Year of Growth and Achievement
This July 6th and 7th, the Center for Justice and Advocacy (CJA) hosted its termly retreat for the Teen Mothers Scholarship beneficiaries, marking a significant milestone. This retreat was particularly special as it celebrated the end of the girls' first academic year (2023-2024) under the Certa Foundation’s scholarship program, and their return to school since becoming mothers. It also marked the one-year anniversary of the program’s launch, a significant achievement for the Certa Foundation. The retreat provided a vital platform for the girls to share their experiences and accomplishments.
A Platform for Growth and Support
The primary goal of this retreat was to regroup, discuss ongoing challenges and successes, offer counselling, provide Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) education, and connect the girls with inspiring women and role models. This time, various sessions were held, including a powerful testimony from a former teen mother who shared her journey of empowerment and success.
In collaboration with Solid Minds, a private independent outpatient mental health clinic, group counselling sessions were provided to help the girls navigate their trauma and the significant changes associated with becoming mothers at such a young age.
Celebrating Academic Success
Ms. Lydia, the Director for the Center for Justice and Advocacy in her remarks, congratulated the girls on their phenomenal performance. She noted that their results reflected their hard work and dedication, rather than just their hardships and identity as teen mothers. The improvement in their marks from the first term was proof of their progress. She expressed the immense pride the Certa Foundation feels in seeing all twelve girls not only promoted to the next grade but also achieving good marks. She encouraged them to fully utilize the opportunities provided to them by Certa Foundation and all others, reiterating the importance of education in transforming their lives and fulfilling their dreams, including aspirations of becoming strong leaders.
Powerful Testimonies and Inspirational Messages
The retreat also featured powerful testimonies from the girls, reflecting the challenges they faced after pregnancy, from family conflicts to dropping out of school. Through the Certa Foundation’s intervention and their resilience, they have started overcoming these challenges and regaining hope in their ability to lead fulfilling lives.
Shaki Mukiza, the then Program Coordinator of Economic Gender Justice, expressed immense pride in the girls, noting that some have become more open in sharing their stories. She congratulated them on their advancement to the next grade.
An Inspirational Guest Speaker
The retreat was closed by guest speaker Ms. Shabana Basij-Rasikh, an Afghan educator, humanitarian, and women's rights champion. She is the founder of Hela, Inc. and the School of Leadership, Afghanistan. Ms. Shabana greatly appreciated the girls' hard work and encouraged them to aim higher and dream bigger each day of their lives. She emphasized, “Don’t give up because you are the best, you are important, and you are great.” Ms. Shabana shared her life story, highlighting the role of education in her life and the challenges she faced. She concluded by encouraging the girls to keep their vision near and clear.
A Celebration of Resilience
The retreat featured many activities, such as group therapy sessions from Solid Minds, training from iDebate, and more, serving as a celebration of resilience and a reaffirmation of the Certa Foundation's mission to empower teen mothers. With ongoing support, the foundation envisions a future where these girls of impact receive quality education, contributing positively to society and their communities. The Girls of Impact Retreat was a testament to the transformative power of education, support, and resilience, and a celebration of the remarkable achievements of these girls.