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Have you heard about the girl effect? When a girl is empowered
she goes on to lift up everyone around her and that's what the because I'm a
girl movement
is all about. Harnessing the incredible power of girls and women
both here and in the developing world to change the future of their families,
communities and even nations. Hi and welcome to Girl News.
My name's Christina and I'm part of plans because I'm a girl team.
Our girl news is all about the power of Canadians supporting Plans because I'm a
girl projects
and seeing the positive impact they're having on everyone around them.
In the next five minutes we're going to show you the power of girls in action
going full circle. It all starts with a girl,
in this case, a girl named Maya from Alberta.
Maya decided that for her 13th birthday she wanted to give
rather than receive. With his 40th birthday coming up, her dad Kevin agreed.
I actually have Kevin and Maya the phone right now. Maya
how did you decide to support the because I am a girl movement?
We wanted to focus on girls in developing countries
so I checked out the because I am a girl site. Since my dad's a school principal and I'm a girl, I suggested we support the
construction of a girl friendly school project in Rwanda.
And I understand that the two of you organized a fundraising birthday concert
called three bands in a barn for over 300 people
Maya that must've been a lot of work. Yes but it was really special
how many people were willing to help out. My friends thought it was cool to be able to
help girls in Rwanda claim the right to an education. We can't thank you enough for
all you've done Maya.
You've raise an amazing ten thousand dollars
and Kevin thank you for joining our growing community of
men who support us too. It was our pleasure for sure to be involved with
Plan Canada and this project three bands in a barn that
we did, and as a teacher and a father of a girl I'm encouraged by the
work that
Plan is doing to empower girls living a reality so different from those
of my own children
and even the kids I teach. Three bands in a barn was a great experience for us and
for hope all the people involved and Maya and I are talking about it being the
first of
of many and becoming an annual event.
We are thrilled to welcome girls like my Maya to the movement
to help us spread the word and also men like Kevin too.
Plans latest State of the World's Girls report
launching on September 22nd focuses on the important
and valuable role men and boys play in achieving
Global Gender Equality and eliminating poverty.
Now let's see the power of girls at work
in Rwanda. Meet eight girls from [unclear] who share a love dance and a
determination to claim their right to a brighter future.
The girls are part of a performing dance troupe who earn a small income to
support their families.
Together the teen girls approached Plan to create a cooperative
to raise and sell pigs and pull themselves and their families out of
poverty.
In April 2011 the girls received three piglets from Plan
plus resources to build a pen and training to breed the pigs.
The girls involved their families and created a shift work schedule
so someone is always there for the livestock. They used the manure to
fertilize feed crops
and vegetable crops to feed their families. They now have 12 pigs
and because of the success of their project people from all over the
community are now coming to learn about becoming pig farmers too.
These girls are showing their community the way
to a better and brighter future and that's the power
of girls in action. Sign our e-petition on our website to have September 22nd declared
the
international day of the girl. A day to recognize girls would help us to ensure
that girls rights are treated as human rights. Everyone can lend their power to
support the because I'm a girl movement.
Girls are the answer and so are you.