We ask, because the worlds that our girls live in and where we have programming can sometimes test that exact part of you. What do you do when things are not going well? Some of our groups of girls right now are such a true example of what it means to be resilient.
In Afghanistan, our girls are dealing with a very scary situation right now with Taliban occupation of the majority of the country. They are having to deal with relocating to different areas so they can be safe, and we have had to put our programming on hold so we can ensure their safety. This is, of course, in consultation with our partners there, but our girls are ready and excited to get started and back to work as soon as they are able. The situation appears unmanageable, but they are ready to push forward and will take no excuses.
In Haiti, our girls have dealt with the assassination of their president and there was worry of civil war breaking out. But our girls have been so brave and persistent. They are going to be running their community event next weekend right after the president’s funeral because they recognize that what they are doing is important. We couldn’t be prouder of them and their resolve to continue with their efforts.
And in India, our girls are still in the middle of what’s happening with the pandemic but are still meeting every week online, trying to find somewhere quiet to partake in the sessions in a home that is full of siblings and grandparents and other family members, or a spot outside even in the middle of the heavy monsoon season right now. They managed to get together for the first time in person recently and are excited to be planning their event on gender discrimination which they will be running in a few short weeks because they know this is going to be life changing.
These are just some examples of how our girls push forward in such a multilayered time of challenge and we want you to see their strength and recognize that they choose to persevere no matter the odds. What we are doing here at Global Girl Project isn’t easy or some sort of feel-good gesture. It is what needs to happen because our girls live in worlds where there is so much that they can’t control. There are times that there is a real fear for their own safety and livelihoods. And yet they are the epitome of resilience.
These are the girls you help us reach with our training programs and we want you to know their stories of strength and determination.
Much gratitude,
Julia Lynch, Founding Director