Kenyan Girl With AIDS Changes Her Life After Great Child Classes
“I was nine years old. No one played with me because I had open wounds, vomiting and diarrhea. I did not take my drugs every day because I heard big people say that I will die anyway.
“Then I joined the Great Child Class in my school. I felt loved because they said what was great about me. I never knew that. After classes, they asked me to walk home with them.
“One day I was walking to the hospital and a girl from the class went with me. She talked to me about taking care of myself. I started to wash my painful wounds. Children helped me and encouraged me to take my drugs every day. Doctors started smiling and saying I am doing good.
“I feel happy that I have many friends that are caring, and I love them too. I am now 12 years old. I am feeling very well and was named a school prefect and leader of the health and hygiene club.”
Vulnerable children who lack resilience, confidence, or self-esteem face life’s challenges with great difficulty. They can take unhealthy risks, lack connections, do poorly in school, and have emotional problems.
Tens of thousands of children have been taught using the powerful and transformative class tool from the nonprofit I’m A Great Child Worldwide. Children expressed themselves freely, were heard, became aware of natural strengths, and received peer affirmations.
They built resilience, confidence, and connections. Then, on their own initiative, they identified challenges and changed themselves, despite tremendous hardships. Children also began to encourage and help other children who were in their Great Child Classes.
More than 200 organizations have used this class tool in a variety of settings in 12 countries, most located in sub-saharan Africa. The classes have been taught in eight languages for all children, including orphans, children with disabilities, teen girls, and children affected by HIV/AIDS.
After Great Child Classes, children participated more, raised grades, helped others, and became leaders. A teacher said, “Children always feared speaking, but in this class it was like ‘bushfire’ with high spirits and all hands up to talk.” Another said, “It was a paradigm shift, a new culture of unconditional love and caring.
Data from several Kenyan schools that implemented this class:
Statistically significant improvement in end-of-year examination scores
Average retention rates increased 57%
Average graduation rates increased 60%
Teachers attributed these changes directly to the Great Child Class tool.
I’m A Great Child Worldwide is now offering the Great Child Class booklet, at no cost, through REPSSI Resources. More information on the entire Great Child Program is on www.GreatChildWorldwide.org
This blog was written by Janet Bauer, Founder and Programme Manager of I’m A Great Child Worldwide