Six senior Social Work students at the University of Guyana recently held an eight-week ‘Girls to Women Empowerment Transition Programme’ for 17 girls from the Joshua House Children’s Centre.
According to a press release, Poshia Bryan, Sherine Griffith, Sandra Harte, Cheomi Keiler, Lavern Pinto and A Quinn were mandated to conduct the programme for their Professional Development II course in their degree programme. The course also included a focus on equipping the participants with the skills to deal with domestic violence.
The release said the programme aimed at ensuring that the participants – aged 12 to 17 years – are adequately equipped and empowered with the necessary knowledge and skills to deal with the various challenges of life. For the purpose of the intervention, the students formed a therapeutic group which was necessary for working with participants who lived at the centre.
The seniors believed that because of their circumstances the girls may not have access to the relevant parental guidance and support to transcend the effects of child abuse as well as to prepare them for the transition into womanhood.
The group met the participants twice per week and discussed topics such as building self-esteem, the importance of making right choices, sexual education, drug abuse, relationships, conflict resolution, career guidance, personal grooming and personal hygiene. The girls were also taught practical skills such as baking and hairdressing to ensure that they have an avenue to acquire an income.
According to the seniors, at the close of the exercise they believed that the participants had a clear understanding of domestic violence and where to access assistance for anyone experiencing domestic abuse. The seniors also pledged to continue hosting follow-up sessions with the girls once per month.
