ZAINAB KAMARA
THE Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation conducted its Girl Say Yes peace initiative which was geared at fighting crime in Enterprise.
The six-month youth mentorship initiative, which was supported by the UN Development Programme (UNDP), trained 35 participants, aged 12-22, who were awarded certificates of completion. They were officially named as peace ambassadors for their community when the programme ended.
[caption id="attachment_1002550" align="alignnone" width="768"] The Girls Say Yes netball team. -[/caption]
Ryu Dan is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that provides a range of sports, academic, mental health and entrepreneurial services programmes. Its co-founder and executive director Shihan Marva John-Logan said the programme, which used netball as the tool to promote psychosocial change, was a “resounding success” and she is already looking forward to training a new cohort of girls.
“The goal of the initiative was really to foster a beautiful relationship where these young ladies will become voices for peace and become peace ambassadors. Where they can talk to parents, their peers and other people in the community to really tell them that crime is not the way. We have other avenues.
[caption id="attachment_1002551" align="alignnone" width="768"] Sisters Analise and Alisha Boyce with Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation founder Sensei Marva John-Logan. The sisters show their certificates of excellence in completing Girls Say Yes programme. -[/caption]
“We don’t need to join gangs or be involved in a life of crime. As a young girl we don’t need to be out on the street or fighting in and out of school for boys. We are here as peace ambassadors to let you know of the opportunities that are available and that you could make a difference in your community and your life.”
In addition to learning netball, the programme also exposed the girls to conflict resolution exercises, spoken word, entrepreneurship, dance, sign language, food preparation, resume writing and etiquette training.
[caption id="attachment_1002552" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Derron Sandy from the 2 Cents Movement teaches the Girls Say Yes participants the art of expressing themselves through spoken word. -[/caption]
Participant Norima Francois, 18, lauded the programme saying it was an important tool that helps girls peacefully solve conflict and better serve their Enterprise community.
“The most important thing I learnt was empathy and how to communicate with my peers. It would help me better serve my community by showing respect for others.”
Another participant, Analisa Boyce, 21, said she joined the programme because she loves being a part of anything positive in her community.
“I just love taking opportunities when they come at me. Being a part of the Ryu Dan Empowerment Foundation, I have been benefiting a lot from all the different programmes I have joined.”
She said the programme helped with her self-development and sustainably empowered her so that she, too, could empower other people.
“I know f
