Keep 30 girls in school through theatre projects.

In recent times, in the dynamic Nigerian society, the girl child has frequently been underserved despite her boundless potential. She often faces many challenges, such as academic pressure, peer pressure, societal pressures, and expectations. These girls fight for survival to stay sane and free from stress and mental exhaustion. Many of the girls hold within them unique pieces of talent that embody a brighter future regardless of numerous barriers that stifle their growth as children and self-expression as they grow into adulthood. 

To solve this problem, theGirl Child Art Foundation (GCAF) created a safe space for these young girls in the community. We firmly believe in harnessing the potential of young females and creating a safe environment that fosters self-development and self-expression through dance's transformative power. We believe dance is more than just movements—it is a tool for self-discovery, development, expression, and empowerment. 

The dance program is designed to keep our young girls gainfully engaged and motivated after school hours with a variety of dance styles, such as hip-hop, contemporary, and traditional African dances. Our primary objective is to keep the girls constructively occupied, away from the pressures surrounding them and the prying eyes of predators, with weekly dance sessions. 

For many girls, the studio is a safe space to unburden academic stress and mental exhaustion, immersing themselves in the joy of the movements. So is the story of Emmanuella, one of the most energetic 35 girls in attendance. 

Starting the dance sessions with GCAF, Emmanuella has only sometimes been the most energetic or even close to being a great dancer. She mostly looks gloomy whenever she comes to the studio. That gradually evaporated. Emmanuella says, "The sessions always keep me active and interested; I get to relieve myself whenever I come into the studio." Unsurprisingly, other girls constantly look to Emmanuella when they seem to miss their steps. She gradually learned to find solace and strength in unburdening her stress of the day through the dance sessions. 

Aqueelah, on the other hand, often feels shy and discouraged at the start of the sessions. Because she was the youngest, she believed she could not keep up with the dance moves. Thanks to the encouragement of the dance instructor and other girls who did not make her feel small, she was given roles to perform in the dances to avoid feeling lost or left out. This support fosters teamwork, empathy, and self-confidence among the girls. 

With success stories of improved self-confidence and thriving self-expressions with active participation, the impact of GCAF dance sessions extends beyond the studio. They are lifelines that provide a bridge to a better future in the lives of these young girls. With every step and movement, we empower young girls to be passionate about themselves, overcome mental exhaustion and societal pressures, speak with wisdom and assertiveness, and move confidently in knowing who they are. 

We greatly appreciate the support from GlobalGiving and other donors that makes this program possible. Your contribution allows us to expand our programs and provide the necessary resources to create a safe space for young girls to thrive and be better people for themselves, their community, and the world.