Newsletter 2, March 2006

Welcome to GIF's Electronic Newsletter!

We are a group of girls and adults who are interested in improving the rights of girls all around the world. Girls International Forum is actively preparing to host the International Girls Summit July 8-16 in St. Paul, Minnesota to call attention to the global issues facing girls and women. Throughout the upcoming months, we will be introducing you to each of our teams. Our 8 international teams have already been selected. We are in the process of selecting our Minnesota teams. Girls interested in getting involved should contact the GOF office at 651-645-3636 or email gif@girlsforum.org.

Meet the South Africa Team!
Over the next several months we will introduce you to the girls from each of the participating teams. This month we present the South African Team. Reshma Pattni, 21, a GIF intern recently returned from meeting our South Africa team and shares her experience:

"The team of girls and women mentors in South Africa are from an organization called the South African Girl Child Alliance (SAGCA) which was created as a response to the girl-child section of the Beijing Platform for Action. I was fortunate to travel and see several different parts of the country, staying with the women involved in the organization and some of the girl delegates and their families. I met with groups of girls in schools and communities throughout four different provinces in South Africa and piloted the Girls Platform for Action Survey with these girls.

"Most of the girl delegates from South Africa are involved in one of SAGCA's programs called the Girls Education Movement (GEM). GEM focuses on uniting girls in schools and communities and initiating discussions of important issues in girls' lives. With these girls, I discussed education, human rights, gender-based violence, economic empowerment, and health issues, the five categories covered in the survey."

"During my visit I also met with Queen Noloyiso of the Rharhabe Kingdom to exchange ideas about their women empowerment programs and GIF's Summit Project. I also met Thabo Mbeki, President of South Africa, when he addressed members of the Rharhabe Kingdom, who welcomed me to South Africa, and the First Lady has expressed interest in becoming more involved with GIF's work."

Below are pictures of discussions Reshma facilitated with girls in South Africa.

BUKEKA Bukeka, 14, enjoys reading, dancing, singing, watching television, and spending time with family and friends. At school, she participates in song and dance, choir, and walk for life. Her favorite subjects are biology, math, history, accounting and life orientation. Bukeka's motto is to do everything to the fullest and never give up! She strives to empower herself and her friends.	AYANDA Ayanda, 13, lives in Midrand. Her hobbies include dancing, reading magazines, riding her bicycle, listening to music, and discussing world issues. Ayanda is interested in tackling important world issues. She aspires to help girls and their families who are living in abject poverty. Ayanda wants to become a physician and help families living with AIDS while still fighting poverty.
SANWABISO Sanwabiso, 17, is an aspiring architect in grade 11. She enjoys sports, cultural activities, political issues, and anything conducive to education and her future. Sanwabiso is a mandate driven girl and works hard to get closer to her goals. She is very focused on helping young girls have a better future. Sanwabiso wants to be the president of South Africa. She says, "I have come to realize that young girls are facing pregnancy and HIV/AIDS. They do not know their potential and they do not know that they are destined for greatness. I will show them."
MILLET Millet, 17, is from the Limpopo Province in South Africa. She attends grade 11 and plays all sports. She is a member of SAGCA's Girls Education Movement that is based in her community youth. Millet believes in building a foundation to address issues such as poverty, employment and others that affect everyone. She believes that girls should be given the platform to act and empower other girls and the nation.	ODIRILE Odirile, 13, is from Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. She is currently in grade 8. Odirile participates in two community-based charity projects. The first is at the Gift of Love home where she helps the Sisters of Mercy Missionary wash and feed abandoned babies. The second project involves reading to children at a safety house. She also plays an active role in empowerment workshops along with mentoring girls.

Report from the Girls Summit Leaders
The Girls Summit Leaders who live in Minnesota staffed a table at the International Women's Day Celebration held on March 4 at the University of Minnesota. It was fun to meet with people who stopped by our table to ask about GIF and our upcoming summit. We also got to listen to interesting speakers and participate in several workshops. Alice, 17 and Mai Chong, 17

Please Join Us!
Upcoming Volunteer meeting:
Thursday, March 16
6:30-8:00 p.m.
2314 University Avenue West, St. Paul, MN
Lower Level Conference Room

We look forward to seeing you there!

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