Keep 30 girls in school through theatre projects.

Girl Child Art Foundation (GCAF) is delighted to share her progress in her performing Arts program with the young girls in our community over the past four months. The performing arts programs at the GCAF studio are dedicated to supporting young women and girls as they navigate their performance styles and passions in an environment that encourages vulnerability and creativity. A total number of thirty girls have been participating in the drama class.

Our classes have been on since January 2022, and ever since we resumed, about 23 girls have been frequent.

These young girls have dedicated 2hrs twice a week for 13 weeks at our studio space in Bamako area of Ikeja, Lagos.

As a basic necessity to understanding the skill, the girls have been taught Voice projection, proper stage balance, and how to perfect their acting roles. These classes have engaged our girls as an afterschool program, providing a safe space for positive interactions and fostering cultural dialogue through drama. The program allows girls to meet girls from various backgrounds and share and learn under the supervision of a trainer or instructor. So far, the girls have been able to demonstrate their progress in their ability to speak confidently in public.

 With the disturbing growth of sexual harassment, domestic violence, and cyberbullying among young people, the program engages their minds with positive, creative activities. It helps reduce time spent on harmful online content.

Ambra said, "I was timid before joining the Girl Child Art Foundation. I didn't know I could be a good actor until the tutor gave me a role to play without a script; I could communicate words and actions accurately, and he was pleased with my presentation".

Acting has given girls in our community a voice and built their self-esteem.

 Our rehearsal studio space is equipped with African drums and other local instruments that usually accompany our plays. The props and musical instruments support the rehearsed stage plays' emotions.

The title of our latest play is Bukola's trivial; Bukola was born and raised by her single mother due to the separation from her father.  Bukola was made to hawk items on the streets to support her mother's livelihood, which exposed her to rape, and she became pregnant at 12yrs old. The teenage pregnancy affects Bukola in her studies; she tries to explain to her mother that she was raped, but she wouldn't listen. ....

We use this medium to drive conversations around problems young women and girls face in our society. We hope you can see the drama in person or online soon.

On this note, we sincerely appreciate your support, financial contribution, and advisory support. Our activities and supplies are provided for these girls at no cost. Your donations make it possible to pay the salaries of our various instructors. These were only possible with your efforts. Thank you for making these services available for girls who cannot afford these classes. THANK YOU!