In the heart of the December holidays, while many teens were relaxing, something extraordinary was happening across our partner schools and communities.
2,244 young voices came together — 658 boys and 1,586 girls — shattering our original target of 2,000 participants. What started as a simple idea turned into one of the most powerful youth gatherings we’ve ever witnessed.
They came not for games or gifts, but to talk about the things that matter most — and that adults often avoid.
They Spoke. We Listened.
In safe circles of peers, they opened up about:
- The myths that still surround menstruation and make girls miss school
- The silence that protects female genital mutilation in some communities
- The fear of saying “no” when someone older pressures them
- The confusion of peer pressure, early relationships, and unplanned pregnancy
- The weight of anxiety and depression that no one at home knows how to name
- The dreams they have for their future — and the real obstacles in their way
They didn’t just talk. They laughed, cried, argued, and supported one another. They turned sticky notes into bold demands for change. They turned personal stories into collective strength.
How We Made Hard Topics Feel Safe
We threw out lectures and brought in life:
- Small-group circles where every voice mattered
- Role-plays that turned “awkward” into “understandable”
- Myth-vs-Fact battles that left old beliefs in pieces
- Demonstrations of reusable pads and open conversations about periods in front of boys (yes, the boys stayed, asked questions, and cheered)
- Storytelling sessions that reminded every teen: “You are not alone.”
One girl wrote on a sticky note: “I wish boys knew periods are not disgusting.” By the end of the day, dozens of boys were the ones reading that note out loud and promising to tell their friends.
What We Learned Together
- Many girls still skip school when they have their period because pads are too expensive.
- Some boys had never heard the word “consent” before — and left determined to teach their friends.
- Shyness melts when you give young people a microphone and a circle of people who promise to listen without judgment.
- When you hit the right topic at the right time, a teenager’s hunger to learn is unstoppable.
The Numbers Tell Only Part of the Story
658 boys + 1,586 girls = 2,244 lives touched Countless myths shattered Hundreds of new peer educators born One generation starting to heal itself
This Is Just the Beginning
We now know the recipe works. Young people are ready — more than ready — to talk, learn, and lead.
Next holiday, we’re coming back stronger:
- More forums, more often
- Dedicated safe spaces for the toughest conversations
- Free pads and hygiene kits in every girl’s hands
- Boys and girls continuing to learn side by side, because change needs all of us
Because when adolescents are given knowledge, respect, and a microphone, they don’t just dream of a better future — they start building it.
Thank you to every teen who showed up, spoke up, and dared to care. This movement belongs to you.
See you next holiday. Bring a friend. Bring your courage. The circle is growing.
#TheirVoicesTheirFuture
By The Communications Team