By Mehwish Ayyub | Supervisor
Thomas Paine said, ‘the mind once enlightened, cannot again become dark’.
This is what exactly happened to all our Educate a Girl scholars in Nigeria. We asked few of our #EAGNigeria winners to share their EAG training experience with us and the response is overwhelming. We got so much feedback and decided to share some of it with you all.
Adenika Aina, is one of the #EAGNigeria scholar who arrived on the first day of EAG training with a very low self esteem.
She wrote, “I was too timid to participate in the numerous life changing activities; from the mind-blowing lectures on Journalism, to the deeply inspired biography of Malala Yousafzai, due to a malnourished sense of confidence my home provided me. It was soon very clear to me, that I would have no limit, but myself”.
In a nutshell, she said that she was filled with enthusiasm throughout the training program, and by the third day, when the trainer came over; speaking with passion and truth, and asked everyone: ‘Anyone here willing to change the world through her voice?’
Aina said that the trainer’s words ignited her soul that she was unable to remain dumb. She confidently stood and shared her dreams. The audience obviously noticed her fiery voice, because when she sat down, she said she heard people whisper, while someone squeezed her hand. It was an overwhelming experience for her, standing to share her thoughts in front of an audience
She was happy within herself, because she found her voice, and discovered her passion on that day which was the focus of the training: ‘By women, for women; to change lives globally’.
Realizing that the coin must be invested, Aina swung into action when she got home. She lives in a remote area, Atan Ota; where the highest education for the girl child, on an average, is the junior secondary education, before she transits to her husband’s house who often sees her as a flesh of wretch; a half baked, half-being, with no practical skills.
She had tête-a-tete with most of them, which today, has turned into a catalyst for them. She also motivated and inspired a few female senior students, who serve as role models to the junior ones. Most of them now raise and inspire themselves, by focusing on higher goals and dreams.
Furthermore, She is currently working on a project. A passion. It is a foundation which creates awareness and provides support to those living with muscular dystrophy in Nigeria.
She wrote, “Without the EAG experience, I might still be roaming in darkness, without form, without voice”
There are many other Educate a Girl winners in Nigeria like Aina, who got inspired with this training and now are inspiring others, and it’s all because of the wonderful donors, like you, who made this happen. So on behalf of everyone connected with Educate a Girl, we would like to thank you!
We have many other deserving girls across Nigeria on our waitlist to attend #EAGNigeria. Donate today, please spread the word, and together, we can transform lives.
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