Empowering the Girl Child to Return to School and Reclaim Her Future

Project Summary

“It Wasn’t Easy” is a compassionate reintegration project by Dynamic Works Foundation designed to support adolescent girls who have dropped out of school—particularly due to pregnancy, poverty, early marriage, or family hardship—to return to formal education or vocational training.

The project provides a safe, non-judgmental support system including counseling, scholarships, skills development, and mentorship. By restoring their confidence and addressing barriers to education, this initiative seeks to give every girl a second chance to dream, learn, and lead.

Project Goal

To reintegrate out-of-school adolescent girls into the education system or vocational pathways, while equipping them with emotional, academic, and social support to thrive.

Objectives

• To identify and support school dropouts (especially pregnant or teen mothers) to return to school or pursue vocational skills.
• To provide full or partial scholarships, learning materials, and mentorship to ease reintegration.
• To offer trauma-informed counseling, reproductive health education, and life skills training.
• To work with families, communities, and schools to reduce stigma and support girls’ education.
• To prevent further dropouts by educating girls on their rights, choices, and future potential.

Key Activities

1. Community Outreach & Identification
   • Conduct door-to-door assessments, focus group discussions, and work with community leaders to identify out-of-school girls.
2. Scholarship & School Reintegration Support
   • Provide tuition, school uniforms, books, and hygiene kits to ease financial barriers to re-enrollment.
3. Counseling & Life Skills Workshops
   • Organize group and one-on-one sessions addressing shame, stigma, emotional trauma, and building self-worth.
4. “I’m Still Worthy” Support Circles
   • Peer mentorship groups led by women who overcame similar challenges, creating a safe space for healing and motivation.
5. Vocational Alternatives for Non-Formal Education
   • For girls unable to return to formal schooling, the project will provide access to short-term vocational and entrepreneurship training in sewing, baking, ICT, etc.
6. Family & Community Sensitization
   • Sessions for parents, teachers, and religious/community leaders to reduce discrimination and support girls’ right to education.
7. Storytelling Campaign – “It Wasn’t Easy”
   • Document real stories of resilience, transformation, and hope through video and radio to inspire policy action and public support.

Target Beneficiaries

• Out-of-school adolescent girls aged 12–19
• Teen mothers, survivors of early marriage or abuse
• Families of beneficiaries
• School heads and community influencers

Expected Outcomes

• At least 100 girls successfully reintegrated into school or vocational training by project end.
• Improved mental health, self-confidence, and future orientation among beneficiaries.
• Increased community support for girls’ education and reduced stigma for teen mothers.
• Strengthened partnerships with schools and community stakeholders to prevent future dropouts.

Sustainability Strategy

• Link beneficiaries with long-term scholarship and mentorship programs at DWF.
• Establish community-based girl empowerment clubs with ongoing support.
• Advocate for local government and education directorate involvement in reintegration initiatives.

Potential Partners

• Ghana Education Service (GES)
• KGL Foundation
• Department of Social Welfare
• UNFPA Ghana
• Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
• Local churches and mosques