A Young Girl in Jordon Finds that there is more to Life than her Studies

By Batool Kreishan & Manar Shgerat

Haneen is a 15 year old student from Boshra High School for Girls in Irbid. Timid and reserved by nature, Haneen struggled to interact with other children in her school and community, fearing that they wouldn’t accept her for who she was. But with the exceptional guidance of her Right To Play Coach, Manar Shgerat, and the Goal program, Haneen’s personality has transformed. She has finally realized her potential as a liberator and leader in her home town.

Led by our Right To Play country staff, Goal was introduced at Boshra school almost a year ago. The program includes workshops focused on the empowerment of young teenage girls, and arms them with the necessary tools to prepare for the future. Haneen signed up for workshops such as “Be Empowered”, “Be Yourself”, “Be Healthy” and “Be Money Savvy,” assuming they would be like any other school course.


Since then, Haneen’s self image has soared; she is now confident, friendly and curious to learn and experience new things. Now Haneen speaks up in class and at home. She speaks to her peers, engages in different activities at her school and enjoys her new role as a girl scout.

“I was at my old school for 4 years, and with all that time there I only had one friend. On the other hand, I have been in Boshra School for over a year now and I already have 25 friends”. Haneen said

With regards to her communication problems, Haneen has made an active effort to interact with her friends, teachers and family. She now discusses matters with her parents and is no longer afraid of her teachers. She constantly asks questions so that she can learn as much as possible, and reach her full potential.

“Right To Play and Goal have helped me shed the light on my true self. I feel like am a new person who loves to play sports, communicate with others and learn about many things. I also learned that I could do so much.” Haneen said

Looking back at her progress, Haneen’s mum realizes how much her daughter has changed. “I am truly amazed. It is like I have a new member in the family. She is always telling us about her day and what she wants to learn and do in the future” Haneen’s mum says

Kunti's grown from strength to strength and now a national player of Netball!

Kunti’s Background
Kunti is in 9th Grade at Deepalaya School, Govindpuri, New Delhi. She has participated in the Goal programme for the past two years. “She was known to be very notorious in school. She was poor in studies and was always in the bad books with most of the teachers.

Her Experience
When asked about her experience with Goal, she gives a brilliant smile and says that it has been a great experience. She admits that after playing the junior nationals, her confidence level has increased. She says “I am looking forward to make my career in Netball”. She is inspired by one of the Goal coaches, Ms. Deepali, who represents India at the international level. She has now been selected to become a ‘Goal Champion’: to facilitate leadership sessions and teach netball to the new girls in the programme for which she underwent a ‘Train the Trainers’ course.

She trains the young girls at her school who now intently listens to her instructions as they get initiated to the game of Netball. During the sessions, Kunti displays great command on the group that she coaches and shares - “I am proud to be a national player of Netball. I can never thank the Goal team enough for this opportunity.

What she learnt
Kunti says “Through the programme I have learned how to operate computers and internet. I understand the importance of Health & Hygiene and learned about Sex & Sexuality.” She also recollects the fun that she had at the Goal picnics and training sessions with the Goal Team.
Her teachers have noticed significant changes in her after she enrolled in the programme, after she joined the Goal programme, her behaviour has improved greatly and so has her performance in academics. We are happy to see the change and know that she can do something in life” says Ms. Namrata, teacher and community coordinator, Deepalaya School, Govindpuri, New Delhi.


She has now been selected to become a ‘Goal Champion’: to facilitate leadership sessions and teach netball to the new girls in the programme in order to do this she underwent a ‘Train the Trainers’ course. She trains the young girls at her school who now intently listens to her instructions as they get initiated to the game of Netball. During the sessions, Kunti displays great command on the group that she coaches and shares - “I am proud to be a national player of Netball. I can never thank the Goal team enough for this opportunity.

Global News - Empowering girls

GNOC- The ‘women in sports festival’ begins. The Gambia national Olympic committee (GNOC) and the Gambia football association(GFA) organises the week of women in sports festival began on Saturday. This is the third year it has taken place and the main focus is to encourage and empower girls by mainstreaming them into the world of football.
Read more: http://allafrica.com/stories/201112191429.html

Programme director of the Girls Empowered is the Triad winner! Time Warner Cable’s National Super Connector Search will give Johnson a chance to star in a $100 million public service announcement to inspire kids to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math. Read more: http://www2.journalnow.com/news/2011/dec/19/wsmet04-milestones-for-dec-19-ar-1728538/

Girl Scouts Declares 2012 the Year of the Girl- Girl Scouts is the leading
authority on girls' healthy development, and builds girls of courage,
confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. With its 100th
anniversary coming up in April next year the CEO Anna Maria Chavez has named 2012 the year of the girl.
Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/12/08/4110303/girl-scouts-declares-2012-the.html#storylink=cpy

Running organization is helping young girls- Girls on the run was founded by Molly Baker in 1996 Barker she created this national non-profit organization by having expertise in counselling and teaching adolescent issues. It has grown from just 13 girls in its first chapter to chapters in more than 160 communities. Girls on the Run prepares girls from 8 to 13 for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living; it involves physical and mental issues, including running and lessons to improve the emotional and social aspects that our important for young girls to learn. Read more: http://www.clevelandbanner.com/view/full_story/16730582/article-Running-organization-is-helping-young-girls-?instance=latest_articles

Gowri’s graduated with flying colours

Gowri Mudaliar a 16 year old girl from Mumbai is now a Goal Champion! She successfully graduated from the Goal in April this year. Gowri is from a family of five, her father is not presently working and her elder brother is the only provider for the entire family!

When Gowri first came to Goal she was shy and quiet although had lots of potential to show her energy and enthusiasm; with regular attendance to the Goal sessions she grew in confidence and interacted and laughed with her peers.

She grew a love for sport and discovered a lot of life skills, from this she became part of the “train for trainers” programme which has uncovered initiative and the ability to take responsibility which is the future will assist the family, especially her elder brother who has all financial responsibility for the whole family at the moment.


Train for Trainers” benefits the trainer as they feel more empowered by passing on the lessons they learnt onto other girls who are in similar situations. It is also less daunting for those girls who came to learn as they know the trainers were once at the same stage as them and can relate to the trainers more easily.

Gowri is in the 5th grade and will complete the state level exams in order to go to college. Gowri’s potential is increasing with achieving one of the top marks in her school, with her budding marks and love for maths and economics her aspirations of being a Chartered account are likely to come true!

Introducing Goal Zambia!

We're so excited here at Goal to introduce a new member to our family, Goal Zambia!

We've partnered with EduSport Foundation who are already doing great work with girls empowerment in Zambia through sport and life skills education.

The launch was participated by the Acting Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education as well as Standard Chartered's Chief Exective Office and Managing Director, Mizinga Melu and the Chairman of our new partner, Edusport, Dr J.T.N. Phiri.

Keep reading the blog for more updates on Goal Zambia and also our other Goal countries!

It's here! Beyond Sport's Summit and Awards

The Beyond Sport Summit 2011 has started! We excitedly shared our news with you in the summer that we're shortlisted for the Corporate of the Year award and the winner will be revealed this week...

The Summit's agenda looks great and our Goal Nigeria partner, the Youth Empowerment Foundation, is attending... Stay up to date on all that's happening through twitter @BeyondSport.

Coach Story: Mayyada and North Badia's Girls

Mayyada Al-Muafyee, a 21-years old goal coach, lives in North Badia; a Male dominate- conservative community with high percentage of unemployment and community interference in girls lives (who despite their education only have one choice after graduation: marriage).

Shortly after joining Goal Project in the training workshop with Right To Play, Mayyada' father passed away (the only and main supporter of the family). Instead of breaking down, Mayyada was encouraged to provide girls around her with chances she never had:

"I wish I had that chance when I was younger! to simply play, and be more aware of my health, body and manage my finances. Even my mom is using the Goal Manual to manage the household finances, especially after the loss of my father. Whenever I have a session you'd find my mom waking me up earlier than usual in order for me not to be late on my goal Champions all because of her belief in the project"

Totally dedicated and responsible towards her community, Mayyada participated in different activities previously, mainly concentrating on child care and motherhood, but never transferred that knowledge to any of her community members simply because she was shy and isolating herself. After joining Goal project her self confidence increased and through training 13-15 years old girls she no longer feels shy to stand in front of mothers to raise some sensitive issues. Furthermore, feedback from participating girls is that their mothers wish that they had been given the chance to take the training workshop after watching their girls become more expressive about their feelings and more aware of serious health issues.

Mayyada dreams of becoming a teacher in a rehabilitation centre within two years to help those who need help because of her realization to the inner strength she has and the great effect she can have on other people's lives, all through implementing Goal Project.