Out of Africa and back again
- GSGC
- Apr 25, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 29
By Emily Bronstein, age 15
When I first got involved with GSGC three years ago, during my first trip to Africa with my family, I became determined to stay connected to the girls I met, and to raise funds to support them through GSGC programs. Creating this goal has led to many unforgettable experiences and special connections that have now blossomed into deep and meaningful relationships. My passion and interest in supporting GSGC and the girls in Southern Africa only continues to grow the more I learn and get involved.
Recently, I was fortunate enough to make my second trip to Africa, this time with my dad. We visited GSGC friends in Zimbabwe, and met new friends in Zambia. My dad commented that the beauty of coming back to Africa was that we were more seasoned travelers and we could settle more deeply into our time with the GSGC girls and aunties, and with Smokey and Priscilla. He was right and so I wanted to share some observations of my time there.
For starters, the growth I saw in the girls, in just over 18 months, was amazing. Girls who I met during my first visit who could barely stand tall, speak in front of a small crowd, or even make eye-contact, were more confident and self-assured. When talking to the same girls who had so little confidence before, it was like another world when speaking with them on the second visit. What may seem like a small thing to you and me is actually a big deal in these communities. This self-confidence is so important because it opens an incredible amount of doors that would be closed otherwise. Things like confidence to protect their rights, look for a job or even just believe in themselves.
For me, I love finding what I have in common with girls in Southern Africa, even though our lives are very different. And I’m not alone in this desire to connect. Before going to Africa this time, I talked to friends in the US about participating in a pen-pal program with the girls in Auntie Procedure’s Girls’ Time club; the response was awesome. It has really become apparent that there is an equal desire between girls in both places to learn and grow by building 1:1 connections.
So far 25 girls in each location has sent and received a letter – and these are not “How are you? I am fine.” letters, these are pages long letters that help expand the minds of everyone involved! For some of the girls in Africa, this was the first letter they’d ever received; they were so excited to write back – some walked 40 minutes to deliver their return letters to Auntie Procedure so that I could bring them home with me! And back in the US, friends were telling friends about the letters, and several girls I didn’t even know reached out to me wanting to participate.
I also want to touch on the amazing aunties, who are all so talented, caring and committed! Many of these women come from very difficult backgrounds – just as the girls do. They have beaten the odds in their own ways and now want to give back and help the next generation. Here in the United States having a female role model or mentor seems normal or like no big deal. It is the opposite in Southern Africa! One of the reasons that I have such a passion to continue working with GSGC and the girls has to do with the fact that I feel I have so many female mentors and role models in my everyday life. I would feel so lost and can’t imagine my life without each of them. This trip, I was fortunate to visit with six Aunties and learn how they serve this same role for the members of their clubs.
And then there are the Clubs themselves – I visited two each in Livingstone, Zambia and in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. What became really clear to me throughout my visit was that each club has a different, unique style based on the surrounding community. Clubs can be urban, or rural, or somewhere in between, yet all of the girls face the same challenges. What makes the model that GSGC has created so unique is that while GSGC provides a proven structure, every club reflects the skills and passion of each Auntie, there is no set way to do mentoring. All of the aunties are supported by one another, yet they all have creative ways of accomplishing their own goals.
Lastly, I was able to visit the brand new GSGC safe / meeting space in Victoria Falls. After my first visit to Africa, and many discussions, it was clear there was a strong need to create a safe space for the girls to meet and discuss private issues. This center, also provides a place where visitors can learn more about GSGC. Thanks to many passionate supporters of The Seraphine Project, my effort to help GSGC, we have been able to raise enough funds this really happen. It may have seemed crazy at first, but dreams truly can come true when people are inspired and take action. The space is currently being worked on and will hopefully be up and running for the nearby clubs to use very soon!
I am so excited about everything that is happening now with GSGC. It’s a really exciting time to be involved; the aunties are strong, the girls are gaining confidence and skills and staying in school, there are new boys clubs led by male mentors. It is truly amazing to see what can happen when people share a vision and do their part to deepen their involvement. Looking forward to sharing more exciting news as GSGC continues to grow and increase its impact.
