STARTING YOUNG: POVERTY REDUCTION THROUGH MENTORING OF VERY YOUNG ADOLESCENT GIRLS IN RWANDA 2 8 J U N E 2 0 1 5

A L L I S O N F LY N N , M P H

Early Adolescence: A Key Time For Intervention

• Growing international focus on adolescence, but often aimed at older adolescents (15-19)

• Very Young Adolescents (VYAs): 10-14 years • Window of opportunity to facilitate a healthy transition into youth and

adulthood

• Impact on long term health, social and economic outcomes • The Rwandan Girl

The 12+ Program

• Ni Nyampinga, • “A beautiful girl inside and out, who

makes good decisions.”

• 10 Districts of Rwanda • Total population: 3,372,637 • Funded by DFID and Nike

Foundation • Through Rwanda MOH and GirlHub

• Began in 2014 • Will reach at least 20,000 girls

over 2 year period

The 12+ Program

Aims to impact a number of short and long-term outcomes for girls including: Improved self-esteem Increasing girls’ knowledge of and access to vital

services Increased capacity of local communities and service

sectors to ‘see,’ support and reach this population Increasing enrollment and completion rates for

primary and lower secondary school Reducing the proportion of girls and young women

who have experienced sexual or physical violence Delaying first birth Lowering Rwanda’s MMR and HIV infection rates Enhancing the political profile of girls in Rwanda,

leveraging the government to coordinate and fund future direct asset programs for girls.

The 12+ Program

• 25 girls age 10-12 in a community are chosen to participate in each cycle

• Girls meet weekly for ten months, led by ‘big sister’ mentors • Mentorship as discipleship

• Safe Spaces: • Often schools or churches

• Lessons fall into four broad categories: • Social Skills • Health and Nutrition • Economics • Accessing services in the community

• Graduation after completion of ten month curriculum

The 12+ Program

• Church Engagement • Church leaders can engage communities to

change cultural norms around the role and value of women and girls.

• Mentor Support Groups • Borrows from Care Group model • Mentors learn from each other’s experiences,

discuss challenges and seek solutions together • Many do income generating activities together

The 12+ Program

• Follow-Up Committees • Support mentors and girls through

advocacy and logistical support in the community for their activities

• Economic Strengthening • Complements lessons on finances and

budgeting • Groups receive rabbits or chickens to

raise for income

Reflections From Cycle One

• Girls built strong relationships

• Girls have knowledge and confidence to access services in their communities

• Parents noted changes in daughters’ behavior

• Mentors gaining confidence, strengthened ability to connect with girls, parents and community leaders

• Church leaders are reaching out to girls and families to change community norms about girls

Allison Flynn Health Advisor, World Relief

aflynn@wr.org