My “Nigerian Family Visit”

Today was so lovely, I looked after my friend Mercy’s children and I loved it, I was sad to take them home!

I’ve kind of adopted a family over here! Mercy works at GPI and is the mum of my bestest friend Peace! She has three other children, Blessing, Peter and Ruth. All four children came to visit me at my house and we had a great time together watching Nanny NcPhee, playing piggy in the middle, chased after bubbles, painted out toenails and ate omelets, indomie and cake! Seeing the children laugh and have fun was great. They were so well behaved and sat enthralled during the movie.

It was a pleasure to have them and I can’t wait to arrange another visit!

Ruth, Blessing and Peter

My Peacey

GPI Social Work activity

As part of the Sunday lessons programme, the last year group (level 3) have to complete social work in a rural community. This involves a needs assessment to identify the issues affecting that community and then a planned intervention to pass on information to that community.

It was a great, fun and informative day, with many people stating they will no longer practice FGM (Female Genital Mutilation) and that they feel more confident abstaining from early sex.

Me and some of the GPI girls!

 Travelling in the bus to the community:

 The community:

The event and its attendees: 

The cutest little boy!

Maggie our facilitator and Oga Drive our pilot!

The ladies getting into the activity!

GPI drama troupe in action!

I could almost steal this cute boy!

The community who came

GPI Quiz and Debate Event

Every year GPI girls are involved in a competition week! The first thing girls do is write an essay, then each of the 8 groups select one member who represents then in a debating competition, and then another 8 girls are chosen to represent their groups in a general knowledge/sexual health quiz! 

It was great fun, with some good essays written, some crowd pleasing debates and some tricky quiz questions! Great fun was had by all, as well as ensuring new information was passed and girls had the experience of public speaking.

Bosom's group writing their essays

Precious group writing their essays

Alphas group watching the debate

The debate

GPI staff enjoying the debate (left to right - Bassey, Ndodeye, Emilia, Maggie A and Maggie U)

The judges!

The speakers from the 8 groups

The Prize giving!

GPI event - School competition

As part of its programme, GPI organises an essay, debate and quiz activity with local schools. The idea is to introduce a fun and competitive element to passing on information relating to sexual health and gender issues. 

This year's theme for the essay writing and debate was how to eliminate harmful traditional practices affecting women and young girls. The essays and verbal debates were of great quality, with participants discussing ways to eliminate practices such as female genital mutilation, early marriage, son preference and widowhood rites. 

There was also a general knowledge quiz and a drama competition which were great! Its no wonder Nigeria produce so many movies with all these talented actors around! 

It was great to see how informed these young people are, and it gives hope that these harmful practices may begin to stop as these generations grow and become the new leaders.

The quiz teams

The judging panel of GPI girls, alumni and staff

The attendees

The drama competition

Public speaking competition

No Nigerian event is complete without a dancing competition!!

The prize giving ceremony!

Our beautiful quiz master and head judge - Bassey Duke!

GPI staff and girls enjoying the music!