Mental Health Teen Camp

It was an honor and privileged to be asked to give a girl talk at the 3 day Mental Health Camp put on by IBoost Foundation. The camp was put on for the children at the Mahlabatsini Orphangae in Matsapha, an area over run by prostitution, drugs and theft.

We always start the day with a icebreaker and this time was no different, hot potatoe was hit. We then proceeded to put the girls in groups of 5 and for them to come up with the best description of a girl in their opinion. We got beautiful responses: a girl is brave, beautiful, hard working, courageous, family oriented, listener, friend, mother, funny, takes initiative, dream chaser and so much more.

We then asked the girls what they aspire to be when they grow up and the responses did not disappoint: police officer, pilot, fire fighter, artist, singer, teacher, fashion designer, lawyer etc. We then went on to discuss how these amazing young girls can become all those things. The main words that came up were focus and believe in yourself.

One thing we made sure to speak on during our girl talk was the way we need each other, we need to support each and we need to remember to help each other, as sisters come up and stay up. If one of us falls, we must rally around each other and support. We need to understand that we will always need people in our corner, and if it happens to my one of us, it can happen to all of us, so being there for each other as girls is important. Girl code is real and it matters.

We then had a very nice meat together, provided by the IBoost Foundation and promised to return again. As The Brave Girl Initiative we are definitely taking up space in Eswatini. One conference at a time, one girl talk session at a time, whatever it takes, our girls’ futures will be brighter.