“God helps those who help themselves,” read the sticker on the tro to Sunyani. Alex and I took four girls to meet with Esther, a young journalist corresponding for TV Africa in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana. Take Our Daughter to Work Day, was just about that, how to help oneself. We wanted to encourage these girls to stay in school and work hard to see their dreams come true, just like Esters.
Esther
was energetic, outgoing, empathetic, and very talkative. She asked the girls what they
wanted to be. One by one the SHS and JHS girls stood up. Nurse, reporter,
teacher nurse, were their dream jobs. “Why?” asked Ester. The girls became shy.
So Ester began her story, from being a young girl to where she is today, a 27 year old female
reporter who also leads several girls groups in her church’s district. Although
Ester spoke in Twi, I was able hear her main points as I saw the girls smiling
and listening with such intent.
“Look at yourself. What do you want? I chose to be a journalist
because I want to see people,” she said. Challenges were never viewed as a problem for Esther, as her journey to her dreams felt like a calling. “Failures are not the end of the road in life,
but constructive criticism god is giving you, pushing you to do better,” she
explained. I remembered the sticker; help yourself, ask questions, and seek guidance
from peers, teachers, elders, and even your faith was her take home message.
Making connections, encouragement, opportunities, and
action all in the effort to help ourselves and each other. Take Our Daughter
to Work Day was a success.
