Gender Equality United Kingdom Project #61400

Connect girls with a mentor for a brighter future

by WONDER Foundation

Connect girls with a mentor for a brighter future

Project Report | May 28, 2024
Nathalee's dreams keep growing!

By Ana and the WONDER team | Fundraising Officer

At Wonder, we recognise that simply providing access to resources is not enough. Mentoring can help improve school attendance and overcome certain gender-specific barriers to education. A mentor can guide girls like Nathalee, a 15-year-old student at Colegio Junkabal in Guatemala, through challenges, help them develop problem-solving skills, and connect them to new people and opportunities.

Junkabal helps families living in poverty in Guatemala City’s largest rubbish dump by providing education for girls, and vocational training for women. Nathalee comes from the rubbish dump area and doesn’t know where she would be without her schooling.

Since joining Junkabal, Nathalee says “I have learned so many things that have helped me do well academically”. This includes basic skills such as grammar and writing, along with life skills like cooking, budgeting, and communicating well with others.

“I am proud that I develop my skills to the fullest… to truly know my passions, and things that will serve me for life.”

Mentoring is a strong component of a student’s journey in Junakbal. When describing her mentor, Nathalee says:

“She helped me a lot by explaining to me in the best way each of the topics that correspond to my stages of growth and preparing my character for any problems I face.”

At a young age, Nathalee aspired to become a veterinarian. She now plans to go to university once she finishes her studies and pursue a chemical engineering degree.

“I have changed my dreams a lot, because Colegio Junkabal has helped me open my mind and really know what I like and what I am good at”, she says.

“Thank you very much for giving me the happiness of receiving the scholarship from the school.”

Permalink

Jan 29, 2024
Pamela's dream is becoming reality!

By Ana Pardo | Fundraising Officer

Education is life-changing; but for many of the women and girls we work with, education alone is not enough to thrive. Just likewith Pamela, a 19 year-old studying for a certificate in Hospitality and Accommodations Operations at Pearlcrest Hospitality Training Institute in Uganda, when girls are connected with a mentor, they gain a trusted source of support. A mentor can guide them through challenges, help them develop problem-solving skills, and connect them to new people and opportunities.

Every woman and girl in our programmes is paired with a mentor. Mentoring helps girls like Irene develop and strengthen their executive function skills, so they can problem solve more efficiently, avoid burnout, and meet deadlines.

Furthermore, many of these girls may be the first in their family to pursue higher education. They need a trusted individual to help them navigate new challenges.

“Learning in Pearlcrest is a team’s work. I have come to realize that learning takes place everywhere, not just in the classroom. The other students have been a support and a good source of knowledge, and my practical instructors and tutors are encouraging and a world of knowledge, and my mentor is my friend.”

Her mentor also gives Pamela someone to turn to in challenging times, so she doesn't feel alone. Mentoring has been shown to decrease drop-out rates and boost confidence in students. With a mentor, girls can get the most out of their studies and be set up for a successful future.

“Finally, through mentorship, am being guided on how to fulfil my dreams, handle issues, interact with people and how to present myself and as a result am working on my vision.”

Mentoring sets girls up with the skills and confidence they need for long-term success, so that more girls are likely to graduate from school and develop rewarding careers. These girls can become leaders in their communities and break the cycle of poverty for themselves and their families.

“I came with nothing but I can do something now. I would like to express myself like my people saying – the spear you (WONDER Foundation) gave me for hunting- I am using for the right purpose and am hunting as much as possible. Thank you indeed.”

Permalink

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.