Each year, 100 young girls from ages 12-15 are invited to participate in our Pearl Program. During monthly training days, over the course of a year, these young girls are given the opportunity to learn life skills to help them succeed in high school. Topics include resilience-building, effective communication, developing healthy relationships, protecting oneself against HIV/AIDS, and the favourite—boosting self-esteem. In November and December the two program groups celebrated their graduations, honouring how far they’ve come. For many of the girls who were at first weary or nervous about high school, they are now excited and feel ready to tackle this new adventure and the challenges that come with it.
Both celebrations consisted of presentations, performances and team-building activities. Participants expressed over and over how happy they were to have been a part of the Pearl Program. Meet some of the program graduates below!
Khathatso, 13
Khathatso has blossomed into a confident young leader through the Pearl Program.
Seitebatso, 15
At her young age, Seitebatso is already a role model. Now in her second year with the Pearl Program, she’s returned as a mentor, determined to support others as she was supported.
“I will report bullying when I see it to be a good leader,” she says. In her first year of high school, Seitebatso faced insults from older students. She leaned on the self-esteem skills she learned in the program to stand up for herself and seek help from her teachers.
Seitebatso dreams of becoming a doctor. She’s also passionate about helping others grow in confidence, saying, “I will help other students in my school to have confidence like Help Lesotho taught me.”
Through the Pearl Program, Vueswa overcame challenges like peer bullying and learned to stand up for others. After spending last year as a program participant, she was selected this year as a mentor.
“I like being a mentor because the girls come to me and ask for help. It felt nice,” she shares.
Living with her mother and younger sister, Vueswa now uses her lessons to guide her sister while pursuing her dreams of graduating high school and becoming a businesswoman.
Nonkululeko has a very difficult home life. After losing her mother at a young age, she moved in with her grandmother who mistreats her and constantly knocks her self-esteem.
But she found strength within herself. With help from her teachers and the Pearl Program, she started high school, determined to defy expectations. “I told myself I’m going to finish high school. I’m not going to let my grandmother be right about me.”
Now a Pearl Mentor, Nonkululeko supports other girls, offering the encouragement and creating strong friendships.
Lerato, 14
Lerato is proof that big things come in small packages. Known for her enthusiasm, she’s always the first to raise her hand during Pearl Program sessions, encouraging other girls to participate too.
Self-esteem was her favourite module, and it shows in the way she inspires her peers. “I’ll be a good leader by being a good person. I’ll stand up against bad people,” she says.
As she prepares to start at Katisa High School, Lerato is excited to continue setting a positive example and standing up for what’s right.
