The Tribune

By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net 

It was while driving through inner-city communities and seeing the condition of children growing up in that environment that Indira Archer was inspired to make a difference in the lives of young girls throughout the country.

Through a character enrichment programme called the Resilience Girls Club it is her hope to help nurture, cultivate and empower pre-teen girls.

“I look on the faces of our young girls and see the hurt in their eyes. I heard their cry for help. There are a lot of young girls who are hurting and many were never told that they are loved,” said Ms Archer.

“We have created a loving atmosphere to inspire girls to overcome their circumstances. Resilience Girls is my vision create opportunities for girls who live in low-income communities to receive equal access through character enrichment programmes.”

The organisation has previously helped children with self-esteem building techniques and character development exercises by way of fun, creative activities such as art dance, drama and poetry. After partnering with the Yellow Elder Primary School, the group now has a total of 40 pre-teen girls enrolled.

Having experienced many success stories since launching in 2010, Ms Archer said there have been many Bahamian girls who have entered the programme with self-esteem issues, emotional challenges and delinquent tendencies, but left as confidant young ladies who are now excelling academically.

On a national level, she said the club has assisted in the structuring of programmes for Urban Renewal, has helped formulate mentoring activities in Grand Bahama, and has established a weekly programme at the D W Davis Junior High School as a part of a Ministry of Education initiative.

“There are girls who experience and witness horrid acts in our inner-cities. Our mission is to create a positive intervention in the lives of our girls. Resilience Girls is that safe haven in the midst of life’s challenges, in the midst of the violence or crime in the communities, and in the midst of poverty. Also in the midst of degradation, there is a little light called Resilience, and we are going to let it shine in the dark areas of their pre teen lives,” said Ms Archer.

She believes that many children that are not experiencing the necessary character development in their homes. Ms Archer wants pre-teens to know that they can indeed overcome hardships, as they are intelligent, beautiful, wonderfully made and filled with purpose.

“Resilience Girls will have the mindset that they are designed on purpose by a great God and there is nothing they cannot achieve. As the founder of Resilience Girls, I am satisfied that I am doing my part as a community builder and I truly believe that each individual was designed on purpose. The Resilience Girls empowerment programme is aligned with my life’s purpose; it gives me great fulfillment to help girls,” she said.

Future plans for the Resilience Girls Club include a double dutch jump rope competition to be held later this year. Group members said they are excited to use this event as a physical activity to captivate and keep the interest of pre-teen girls.