Girls excel Mentorships clubs

Girls Excel Mentorship Clubs Project – Limbe, Cameroon

Short web summary

In September 2023, New Dawn Foundation partnered with Girls Excel to implement the Girls Excel Mentorship Clubs project in Limbe 1 Municipality, with funding from the British High Commission in Cameroon. The six-day initiative reached over 60 adolescent girls through interactive sessions on menstrual hygiene management, sexual and reproductive health, entrepreneurship, and reusable sanitary pad production to help address period poverty.

New Dawn Foundation supported logistics, community mobilization, stakeholder engagement, speaker coordination, and training delivery. Working with faith-based leaders, traditional authorities, parents, and other community stakeholders, the project culminated in the establishment of a community mentorship club that continues to provide a safe space for girls to learn, share experiences, build confidence, and access support.

Project Overview

In September 2023, New Dawn Foundation collaborated with Girls Excel, a local organisation, to mobilize and implement the Girls Excel Mentorship Clubs project in Limbe 1 Municipality, South West Region of Cameroon. Funded by the British High Commission in Cameroon, the project aimed to create a safe and supportive space where adolescent girls could discuss issues affecting their health, dignity, education, and personal development.

The six-day mentorship programme was implemented over three weekends, from the beginning to the end of September 2023. It brought together more than 60 adolescent girls for interactive sessions on menstrual hygiene management, sexual and reproductive health education, entrepreneurship, and reusable sanitary pad production. By equipping girls with practical knowledge and skills, the project sought to reduce period poverty, challenge harmful myths and stigma, and promote confidence, self-reliance, and informed decision-making.

Community Engagement and Partnerships

The project was implemented in collaboration with local stakeholders, including faith-based leaders, traditional authorities, representatives of the local chief’s palace, parents, and other community members. Their involvement helped strengthen community ownership, encourage girls’ participation, and create a supportive environment for sustained mentorship and learning.

New Dawn Foundation’s Role

Although Girls Excel led the project, New Dawn Foundation played an important supporting and coordination role. The Foundation was responsible for:

• Coordinating logistics and arrangements for the training sessions;
• Mobilizing adolescent girls and engaging community stakeholders;
• Working with traditional, faith-based, and community leaders to support implementation;
• Coordinating speakers and facilitators;
• Supporting the planning and delivery of mentorship and skills-training sessions; and

Providing a team to participate in the implementation of the training activities.