The past few years have been a difficult time for all of us keeping afloat during the COVID pandemic. In 2020, with the pandemic setting foot all over the world and affecting so many communities, we too were affected when the Emerge programmes, including the in-shelter programmes, had to be temporarily paused.
We managed to re-route to online programming, and then almost 3 years later - in 2023, we did our yearly planning in hopes of starting the in-person shelter programmes once again. Our hopes came true, when we heard that the in-person programmes were confirmed to happen and from that point onwards the team got down to work; from getting approvals for implementation through the Probation Department, to updating our curricula and figuring out the logistics for the shelter visits. The excitement of the team was so profound and genuine, with all of us being so excited to start the in-person programme with the girls once again.
Fast forward to June 21st 2023; our first in-person shelter orientation with the girls took place! I remember the excited little laughter, shy smiles, and even confused looks on the girl’s faces on the first day of our shelter visit. There were girls who had such big and beautiful dreams; some wanted to become teachers, accountants and even doctors. I remember being nervous myself as the days built up to our first orientation session, but the minute I saw and spoke to the girls I felt so at ease and realized how much I missed teaching our girls in-person. Being able to physically visit and interact with these young girls once again, after such a long period of time, has brought so much excitement and hope throughout the team. We hope that we will be able to shed a little light to the bright futures of these young girls, who have their entire lives to live and experience, once they step out into society.
We have now enrolled 45 girls to the in-person programmes and started sessions on Life Skills and Group Therapy for 21 young girls; a very small yet exciting start. We hope to start sessions with the remaining participants very soon in July 2023.
We are so grateful to the donors and Emerge community who supported us to get here!
-Ashani
Programmes Head
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