BELIEVE PROGRAM
The BELIEVE program is for young adolescents between the ages of 12 and 15 (Mwarusis), studying on the grade before secondary school, living in vulnerable conditions in the surrounding communities of Nampula. The’re now on a decisive stage of their lives, associated with a high rate of school dropout, due to early pregnancies or marriages forced by family pressure.
During this program, Mwarusis receive the support of the university students of LEAD program and the graduated young women of CHANGE in sisterhood circles. These circles promote trust bonds and role models so that these young girls develop their self-confidence, become self-aware of their own potential to impact the surrounding community and, at the same time, design the plan to make their ambitious dreams come true. At the end of the year, the goal is for these young girls to enrol in secondary school with a more structured plan for their life and studies.
Mary Mcleod Bethune
THE IMPACT AND THE MULTIPLIER EFFECT OF INVESTING IN A GIRL
Girl’s education is transformational, it changes the course of history. If we invest in the 72 million young girls that are not going to school and they start going to school and living according to their potential, we will have a totally different world. It’s time for us all to act.
MWARUSIS 4 LIFE
Learn and understand the rights, duties and soft skills for life, to follow their dreams and build their future with the support of their “sisters”.
MWARUSIS 4 SCHOOL
Strengthen literacy levels through dynamic learning sessions and a literacy game.
MWARUSIS IN MOTION
Learn, discover and reinforce DREAMS through arts and sports with Rugby, Basketball and Dance.
MWARUSIS ENGAGE
Activate Mwarusis as agents for change in their communities through a game about ODS.
INNOVATION LABS
Pilot projects to test and develop innovative methodologies with specific targets and thematics such as the “STEM 4 Girls” project and the “BELIEVE Dance LAB”
2020 was a year of adversities, challenges and also opportunities.
An opportunity to test our resilience, creativity and to reinvent ourselves.
At BELIEVE, the biggest challenge we faced came when the schools closed and our Mwarusis went home. At home, they were more vulnerable than ever and the dropout risk became higher.
The VIDEO bellow explains our strategy.
FOSTERING INNOVATION:
What happens when we BELIEVE that transformation starts with the young Mwarusis?
BELIEVE is a real life INNOVATION LAB. Every year, we test new tools and/or methodologies to contribute to the multiplying effect of the education of a young girl. We work hard to positively impact the lives of our Mwarusis and our dream is for our efforts, to reach the 3,3 million young girls across Mozambique. Over the past years, we have conducted several pilot projects such as: real time monitoring & evaluation; income generation; game book (gamification of the decision making process); school transitioning program; LEAD – leadership & mentorship program for Mwarusis Mentors; Steps for Risk Prevention & Risk management & Adaptation of Safe Places method to Mozambique.
co-funded by European Union: