Empowering Girls Through Mentorship

Under the Girls Opportunity Alliance (GOA)/Obama Foundation project, CRECCOM has trained and engaged 90 members of Mother Support Groups to lead a community-based mentorship program targeting adolescent girls. These women have been equipped with skills in psychosocial support to help them effectively assist girls, young women, and even fellow mothers in their communities.

Currently, the 90 trained members are actively implementing a comprehensive mentorship and psychosocial support program across 9 schools in Traditional Authorities Nkanda (Mulanje) and Mwaulambia (Chitipa). These interventions are helping girls recover and bounce back from the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, school dropout, and other social challenges.

To strengthen the mentorship experience, CRECCOM has provided financial support to enable Mother Groups to host girls’ retreats—interactive and safe spaces where girls are mentored on critical life topics. These include the value of education, reproductive health, menstrual hygiene management, gender-based violence, drug and alcohol abuse, HIV/AIDS prevention, peer pressure, and grief counseling.

Importantly, these retreats also feature community-based role models—influential and relatable women from the local area—who share personal stories that inspire and motivate girls to aim high and pursue their education with confidence and determination.

Through this initiative, CRECCOM is reinforcing a strong support system around girls, helping them realize their potential and thrive within their communities.

See pictures from activities: