Girls need safe places to learn, grow, and know that they will be heard.
The Space to Dream Campaign ensures that girls in every community have a safe place to go where they feel loved and empowered to change the world. She’s the First partners with grassroots organizations to provide these spaces; our team also trains local women leaders on feminist mentorship, reproductive health education, and girls’ rights to ensure girls have all the support they need to chase their dreams.
As a result, girls feel loved, respected, and worthy.
“I feel loved here. I am accepted for who I am and encouraged to express myself without judgment. The freedom and support I get from my mentors and peers allow me to embrace my true self in ways I often can’t at home.”
Will you give a gift to The Space to Dream campaign to support a future where all girls feel loved like Hulamayatou?
When girls are given space to dream, be themselves, and study…
My mentors have consistently shown up for me in every aspect of my life, from home to school, and everything in between. I remember a day when I was feeling really down and didn’t want to do anything. My mentors noticed and took action; they wrote several affirmations on the board for me and had my fellow students sing for me.
Kavita loved studying and was excited to be enrolled in school again after dropping out during the pandemic at age 13. When she started missing class again because she didn’t have reliable transportation, her mentors at our partner Sahas Foundation stepped in to help.
"My mentorship lessons changed my academic performance completely. Before, I had no self-motivation to study, no goals or dreams. My mentor asked me, ‘Where will you be after finishing school?’"
Challenged by her mentor, Mary Jonas buckled down in school to improve her grades. “I’m proud of myself. My future dream is to become a midwife.”
“I dream of becoming a doctor so that I can save people and be independent.” At our partner Arlington Academy of Hope in Uganda, Mercy’s dreams are nurtured. Her ambitions are resourced, and her curiosity is fed instead of silenced. She is respected, educated, and heard.
“I’m the first lawyer in my family, and I’m driven by a desire to pave new paths and create opportunities that have never been available to us before. I aspire to inspire others and drive positive change through my work.”
Advice for girls and reflections from alumna of our Girl Activist Fellowship program!
