Girls’ camp discusses life issues

Forty-one female learners from various secondary schools in the province and as far as Gauteng used the last week of the winter holidays to learn more about teenage pregnancy, humanity and good morals during a girls’ camp at Happy Beginnings Pre-School in Seshego.
Attendees embarked on exciting road trips to Mall of the North, Polokwane International Airport, Meropa Casino and Entertainment World and car dealerships to be taught about responsibility and chasing after their goals to be able to afford a lavishing lifestyle they desire in the future. When Polokwane Observer visited the young women on the last day of the camp, smiles lit their faces as they highlighted that the gathering was informative and fun while some wished that the camp could be prolonged for one more week.
Founder of the initiative Joana Ngoasheng indicated that some of the learners in attendance were victims of abuse and others orphans. She further stated that they conducted an exercise where learners behaved like first time mothers and had to follow a strict routine such as breastfeeding babies (teddy bears) waking up in the middle of the night to change diapers and feed them.
Ngoasheng explained that they wanted the young women to experience the pain of being a mother for them to abstain from sexual intercourse and focus on their studies.
“I am a product of abuse hence I started the programme last year to try and help youngsters deal with challenges and learn about different topics. We use certain methods that make attendees comfortable for them to speak out and clear the anger. This is our fourth camp and road trips were part of our intensive motivation subject. The gathering is all about transforming the lives of teenage girls. We want them to perform to the best of their abilities for them to become better people in future,” Ngoasheng explained.
She stressed a need for parents and guardians to be part of the programme to improve their parental styles as she highlighted that they have noticed a challenge in this regard. She further indicated that they work with various government departments and Special Focus division of the Polokwane Municipality, adding that they need any kind of sponsorship such as clothes and sanitary towels.
Ngoasheng was delighted with the turnout but went on to plead with companies and individuals to come on board to help her and her partners groom female learners. She thanked her partners Sekgololo Montjane, Mapula Tjale, Caroline Magwai and Nare Hlahla for the support and commitment to the programme.

Story and photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za