The International Day of the Girl with Girls Got This

 "Hey, Angel, can you prepare at least a school or a community for our distribution," that was the usual tone from our Founder/Executive Director one morning when we had an early call. 

"Sure," was my one-liner reply. 

We call each other by first-name basis, and it was actually my first time in an organization without any formalities of "Sirs" and "Ma'ams".

Community Organizing and Meetings

I used to be an NSTP-CWTS Facilitator during my early employment. My younger self learned about Community Organizing and its components but I never expected that my experience in Community Organizing would be used in my chosen career nowadays. 

Honestly, there were moments when I turned cold feet before I could even introduce myself to others. Most people wouldn't even believe me when I said that I always feel nervous when I start talking to others. All they could see in me was that confidence taking over.

By the help of our two community volunteers, we managed to identify two communities, while I went to a school which our organization has a partnership with. 

Although one community leader told us that she would be busy in the given dates, it didn't bring our spirit down. We pursued, anyway. 

Activity Plan and Budget Proposal

I learned to make activity plans while I was still working at a local NGO I previously worked with. I acquired a lot of skills and knowledge there especially about Child Protection, and Social Development Work. I owe them a lot, and not to mention the work ethics I adopted from the organization - patience and dedication to mention a few. 

It was barely two weeks when we finalized everything and smoothing all other edges that could pose challenges during our activity. 

Execution Phase and the Girl 

Our first chosen community happened to be the place where I became the school's Vice-Principal three years ago. True enough, I was very excited when I met the girls and introduced our activity. 

I saw their expressions changed from time to time. From confusion why they were gathered together up to their smiles when they received the packs. One worth mentioning was a girl. 

I saw her being piggybacked by another girl when they came to our venue. It turned out that she is a PWD. I was told that our community volunteer was hesitant if she could join the session. Well, our organization welcome any girls without discrimination because we always aim for girl empowerment. 

I couldn't forget her eyes and their expressions from the beginning of our activity. I saw hope and excitement. I saw an empowered girl despite of her disability. She became another inspiration to love what I am doing for these girls in all different walks of life. 

Digital Generation and Safe-Space

No matter how we take it, we couldn't stop the evolution of information and technology because the reality is the younger the generation nowadays the more they are equipped with digital knowledge. But this face-paced turnabout of modernity is still something unacceptable from the previous generation. This digital divide does not only happen in-between generations but the privileged few and gender preferences. 

Unfortunately, girls still missed out a lot of digital employability and training. In other words, these girls need access to digital information and literacy. As the same time, create a digital space for them to be safe online. 

The organization I am working at the moment tries its best to reach out to these vulnerable girls to continue with their dreams and aim for gender equality while creating an offline and online environment where they can be free from judgment, abuse, and other forms of exploitation. 

 

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