Hi Family, Steemit has indeed made my dreams of contributing to and making my community a better place come true.
I've been concerned a lot about the state of my Community, Bwari, Abuja.
It's bad roads, lack of electricity, presence of stagnant and mosquito-invaded gutters, poor waste disposal system, lack of pure drinking water and dirty surroundings, and especially the undervalued importance of the girl child education and gender inequality(which sadly is common everywhere)
So, I planned and organized a visit to one of the most notorious secondary schools in Bwari Local Government-THE NEW VINE ACADEMY
I reached out to my Corper female friends specifically, to support the girl child education and gender equality movement. And the support I got was amazing.
Females of all calibre gave their support.
From single ladies, to married women, pregnant women, nursing mothers all successful in their various fields of career. Doctors, Pharmacists, Lawyers, Engineers, Microbiologists, Accountants, Actressess, Entrepreneurs and so on💪🏼.
(I'm on the green jacket)
Guys weren't left out, as I also got the support from my wonderful male friends.
They are all amazing.
We were all given a warm welcome. And we were led to the school's hall.
So, we kicked off with me introducing myself, my colleagues and our purpose of visit.
I then gave a brief lecture on Personal Hygiene from the head to the toes, personal grooming for both boys and girls, hygiene and cleanliness during puberty, Environmental sanitation and of course, Gender Equality👌.
The students all gave rapt attention, as the chosen topic was of keen interest to them.
The teachers, staff- teaching and non-teaching staff were also in full attendance.
Then came the questions from both ends.
I triggered their participation by asking Tolu, a 12yr old boy in Basic 3 to share his opinion on gender equality and the female child's right to quality education.
His answer was astonishing.
He said:
"Boys are more important than girls and they do not need much education because, they always end up in the kitchen or as baby-making machines.
(😮I wouldn't blame him, because that's what he was obviously taught by his parents and immediate environment.)
His response led to an uproar from the girls and almost turned into a debate.
A 10yr old girl, Sandra, in Basic One stood up to defend the girls.
Her response was calm and amazing.
I refuse to accept that I am not as important as the boys or that education is a waste on me.
Girls are smart, intelligent and can also do anything the boys can do. I am a living proof. I always come first in tests and exams.
Wow. I was short of words and impressed by her boldness.
The senior girls aged 14- Florence, 15-Chioma and 16yrs-Fatima all in Basic 5 also had this to say👇:
We all deserve quality education, equal treatment and job opportunities as the boys and feel preference shouldn't be given to any gender but, to individuals who prove themselves worthy of such positions.
I found that response again amazing and humbling.
Then I called up that same boy and asked if he believed girls could forward up to be professionals too and he just shrugged.
So I pointed to my female friends who were seated and reintroduced them stating their careers(see picture above👆)
I must confess, it was fun to brag about
us women and our accomplishments😁💪.
Then i rounded up and introduced my friend and colleague Joan, who is a Pharmacist😷.
Yes, you heard me right a Pharmacist😉.
She gave them a quiz on Personal Hygiene
Isn't she beautiful?.😄
And the winners got gifts, such as; perfumes and deodorants.
All the students also got quick snacks; biscuits and sweets(healthy Sweets).
The girl in the blue sportswear smiling at me whispered to me
"You are my hero."😄
Then I gave the vote of thanks to the school administration for giving us the opportunity for the warm welcome.
Then we all took a group picture(me and my colleagues, students and staff of the school).
The school's Principal appreciated us and entertained us briefly.
You can see me female friends(pregnant and non-pregnant) all looking smart and strong💪.
I took the picture😉.
Then my wonderful male friend, Ibrahim helped fumigate the entire school and it's surroundings.
From outside the staffroom,
to the school's convenience,
to around the classrooms,
and playground.
And we all headed home, but, not before we took a selfie 😉.
Did I also mention that my friends registered on Steemit that day and are awaiting confirmation?💃.
Some who have already joined are ,
,
,
,
(my fiance),
...
I'm planning on having a mega-Steemit promotion in my community by the end of the month.
Words cannot express the joy I feel writing this post.
Thank You Steemit for making this possible.
Let's do this together again♨️.
Please leave your comments, contributions and suggestions on how I can make more effective impact on my community below.
Thank You so much for reading.
I love and appreciate you guys💖.
PS: ALL PICTURES ARE MINE AND WERE TAKEN WITH MY INFINIX HOT NOTE PHONE📱.