My Dreams Club (MDC) Mentorship Outreach at EP JHS, Chereponi District
My Dreams Club (MDC) Mentorship Outreach at EP JHS, Chereponi District
On December 17, 2024, My Dreams Club (MDC), under the Cooperative Agency for Research and Development (CARD), successfully conducted a mentorship and outreach advocacy program at EP Junior High School in the Chereponi District. The initiative formed part of MDC’s Mentorship Program, aimed at empowering young students with knowledge, confidence, and life skills to shape their academic and personal futures.
The outreach focused on three core themes: promoting academic dedication, raising awareness on child protection and early betrothal, and strengthening understanding of the rights and responsibilities of children—especially girls.
Through interactive sessions, students were encouraged to value education as a pathway to personal growth and societal development. Facilitators guided learners on goal setting, effective study habits, and time management. Another session addressed the dangers of early and forced marriage, highlighting Ghana’s child protection laws, how to recognize early betrothal, and practical steps for reporting cases through trusted school authorities and child protection organizations such as MDC and CARD.
The program also empowered students to understand their fundamental rights, including the right to education, protection, health, and participation, while emphasizing responsibilities such as self-respect, commitment to learning, positive community engagement, and standing against harmful practices.
The sessions were highly participatory, allowing students to ask questions and share their views. Plans are underway to distribute child rights and protection brochures to students, parents, and the wider community with CARD’s support.
Key outcomes of the outreach included increased awareness of child rights, enhanced confidence among students to report abuse and harmful practices, and strong commitments from teachers and local leaders to support safe and empowering learning environments.
Looking ahead, MDC plans to expand the Mentorship Program to more schools, introduce structured workshops on child rights and leadership, and deepen collaboration with local authorities to strengthen advocacy against child marriage.
This outreach reflects MDC and CARD’s continued commitment to nurturing confident, educated, and rights-conscious children and young people in the Chereponi District and beyond.