Meet Rohida Pathan

Rohida Pathan, a 21 year old Goal participant is doing her traineeship as a computer teacher at the Goal site of Abhinav Gyan Mandir, Mankhurd.

Rohida has been living at the Goal site of Asha Sadan, a home for girls and women in distress, for the last 6 years. When Goal was launched at Asha Sadan in 2009, Rohida lacked confidence and was not too enthusiastic, but gradually became motivated when she saw the girls enjoying netball and listening to them talk about the life skill sessions.

Rohida graduated from the Goal programme in 2010. In 2011 she underwent the skills assessment conducted by Standard Chartered Bank which gave her feedback that she needed to work on her English speaking and writing skills. Rohida worked hard to improve her skills and in 2011, was selected to undergo a Computer course as a part of a sponsorship from the Transaction Convenience Team of Standard Chartered Bank, Mumbai.

In July 2012 on completion of the course, Rohida was placed on a traineeship at the Goal site of Abhinav Gyan Mandir where she teaches computer basics to the students.

Graduating from Goal and pursuing the computer skills has changed Rohida's life considerably. Along with the computer teaching, Rohida is pursuing her 12th grade from Sir Eli Kaduri College in Mumbai. Rohida said

"Goal has taught me about the importance of about savings and budgeting and becoming financially independent. I got the inspiration to study further from my training position. Now I want to do pursue my graduation and further enhance my computer skills"

Meet latest Goal champion, Raoyao Li

Raoyao Li, 16, is in her second year at the Yuzhong Vocational Training School, specializing in nursing. She excelled amongst her peers to become one of the Goal Champions, after completing the Go Youth! curriculum.

“I like the Financial Literacy module in particular and it is having a great impact on me. I used to be casual with money but after finishing the course, I realized that I should manage my money rationally and shouldn’t spend money on unnecessary items. Once, when accompanying a friend for groceries, I saw a beautiful bracelet that I wanted so much. Then I remembered the session about ‘Needs and Wants’ and  decided to save the money for future.”

Raoyao was selected to become a Goal champion along with 26 other girls. The girls first started sharing their knowledge and experience to their peers in September 2012, after receiving training and ongoing mentoring. Raoyao talked about how she felt proud of herself for becoming a Goal Champion. She said how she is determined “to help others, just as I once was offered help through the Goal Programme.”

The fun way to learn about saving money

Our programme in Zambia is already proving popular! In less than a year, we have over 1,000 Goal girls from 40 different schools keen to learn life skills and play football.

We're bringing our financial education to life for our Goal girls by giving them a tour of the Bank's biggest branches in Zambia. Staff from the Bank are volunteering their time to take the girls around the branches.

By then end of this month, 500 Goal girls would have been taught how to go to a bank and why it's important to save money.  

Have a look at the photos from the tour.

Aya's story

Aya Agha, 15, is a student in Al Itifaq School in Amman, Jordan. Smart yet timid by nature, Aya struggled to express herself freely or stand up and talk in front of a crowd. Her shyness would hinder her from achieving her goals as she always allowed other people to express their ideas before her. This all changed however when Goal came to her community.

“I joined Goal late, but I love the program and I was determined to catch up. I really enjoy school and love reading, writing and painting. Goal encourages me to have a strong and social personality. The “Be Yourself” sessions changed me. I became comfortable in my own skin and I learned how to express myself."

Last year in an inter-school competition for the youngest business people in the country, Aya was in the the top ten finalists out of 2,000 participants. She stood in front of a crowd of people and a panel of judges and explain her project.

Speaking about the event Aya said:

"Having achieved my goals, I feel I have a responsibility to give back to the community. I will try my best to teach and set a good example by leading other girls."

We are very proud that Goal gave her the confidence to do speak out publicly and hope that Aya's story will inspire many more girls out there!

Beyond Sport Winners!

We are delighted to announce that this week Standard Chartered were awarded the Beyond Sport award for Corporate of the Year!

The Beyond Sport Summit brought together the best sport-led social innovators, with influential global leaders, to address sport's role in driving positive social change.

The Summit culminated on Wednesday night, when a series of presenters, including five-time Olympic champion Ian Thorpe, five-time ice skating world champion Michelle Kwan and Olympic legend Bob Beamon, announced that Standard Chartered took top spot, beating over 300 other organisations. Winning this award highlights the continuing success of Goal and signals that we have been recognised on a global scale for our work.

Nick Keller, the Founder of Beyond Sport, said:

"These projects change lives and communities to an astonishing level. It is a privilege to meet, highlight and support the amazing leaders who drive them, and recognise the very best work in this hugely important sector".

The Beyond Sport Summit is here!

We're very excited for the Beyond Sport Summit, held in London, where Standard Chartered has been shortlisted for the ‘Corporate of the year' award for Goal, selected out of over 300 entrees!

The Summit is held over the next three days from 23rd to 26th July and is designed to celebrate, encourage and drive forward sport-led social change. It involves networking opportunities, panels, roundtables, workshops and site visits to sports programmes around London. It will also be a chance to showcase sports projects around the world that, like Goal, aim to inspire and create positive social change.

Speakers include the former Prime Minister of Great Britain Tony Blair, Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver, and gold medal holding Olympic swimmer Ian Thorpe.

Winning the award would mean global recognition, exclusive access to partnerships and media opportunities for Goal… so keep all fingers crossed!

Meet Charity, from Zambia

"My name is Charity M. A. Hachijika. I was born on 17 March 1997 and I am the seventh born in a family of nine. I live with both of my parents in the capital city of Zambia and I doing my grade nine at Libala Basic School.

I really enjoy playing football and traditional sports. Before Goal, it was difficult for me to communicate openly and tell my friends that I loved football because football in my society is known to be a sport for boys only. But that changed when Goal came to my school. It has helped me to develop my inner ability in sports and encouraged me to open up to my pals. I got encouraged to express myself. One of the topics we had recently was "Knowing Yourself" and this topic has transformed my life. I have also learnt to interact with different people despite their backgrounds. 

Goal has helped me to be open whenever I am facing a challenge or going through hardships in any area of my life. I don't regret ever becoming a part of the Goal programme."

Standard Chartered launched Goal in Zambia in December 2011, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and EduSports. There are many more girls like Charity, to whom the Goal programme is making a difference. We have 800 girls currently enrolled in the programme, which is expected to reach 2,000 this year, and we look forward to hearing from more of the girls very soon!

Goal Delhi- celebrates World Environment Day

The Goal Delhi staff, four employees from Standard Chartered Bank Delhi and 80 Goal participants took part in a cleanliness drive at the Goal site of Jaitpur on the occasion of World Environment Day.

The drive started off with a brief session conducted by Mr Vivek from Standard Chartered where he spoke about the impotence of hygiene and cleanliness. He highlighted the harmful effects of plastic bags and explained about disposal of garbage. Vivek also emphasized the role of trees in keeping our environment healthy and how each of us can plant a tree and look after it. The session also addressed the issue of clean drinking water.

After the discussion, the entire group picked up cleaning equipment: shovels, rakes, brooms and buckets of water and cleaned the school premises, netball ground and 10 classrooms of the school! This cleaning drive resulted in the disposal of 11 bags of rubbish!

This laborious effort of teamwork ended with participants promising that they would not use plastic bags anymore and work towards a clean and healthy environment.

Goal Partner Summit

Last week Standard Chartered Employees met with their Goal Partners around the world, in Zambia. The Summit took place over three days and was a great opportunity for everyone to share best practice and discuss future plans for Goal. The Head of Sustainability and Regional Corporate Affairs, Mark Devadason, attended with the Head of Corporate Affairs for Africa, along with representatives from Women Win, Coaches Across Continents, Right to Play, Naz Foundation, Youth Empowerment Foundation and of course the host country NGO, Edusport.

We were also lucky enough to see the Goal programme in action as we visited Kamala High School. We were shown a snap shot of the girls being taught the Be Yourself module which was followed by the sport session. Everyone took part in either Netball, Basketball or Volleyball and had a great time discussing the programme with the girls.

Julie Wallace, Head of Community Investment and Sustainability Strategy said; "It was amazing to be able to see the Goal programme on the ground and hear all the girls' aspirations. It was truly inspiring."

 One of the partcipants, Abigail, is an aspiring journalist and is going to send us a story to post on the Blog, so watch this space for the next Jane Austin!

Senator Lundy visits Goal Delhi

This month the Goal Delhi site of Jaitpur had a visit from the Australian Minister for Sport, Senator Kate Lundy. On 1st May, after giving Senator Lundy a traditional welcome, 80 Goal girls demonstrated some Self- defence techniques to the minister followed by a netball match.

Senator Lundy said “The Australian Government is very supportive of engagement through sport. Both Australia and India share a great love for sport, which can be a great platform for further strengthening the bilateral ties.”

Her presence was an inspiration to all those who are a part of the programme and the Goal girls thoroughly enjoyed interacting and playing with the Senator, who's team won 12-6!

We've made the Beyond Sport shortlist!

We're so excited to be shortlisted for the 2012 Beyond Sport awards!  Winner announced end of July... fingers crossed!

Their Summit's going to be in London this year, just before the Olympics kicks off.

It'll " be the place where the sport, development, and business industries come together to network, learn, and be inspired"- Beyond Sport 

Global Give Back Circle: Part 2

Read Irene Odiero's story in her own words:

My name is Irene Odiero. I am a first-year student at Egerton University in Nakuru, Kenya and an intern at Standard Chartered, Kenya. I am from the Manyatta slum in Kisumu, the second largest city in Kenya. I grew up in a house without electricity or running water. Manyatta is my home and I am most happy when I return to visit my family.


I am the first born of four. While still in primary school I became responsible for my three siblings. My parents died when I was 12. Anne, the youngest was four. We have since been in the custody of my paternal uncle. When my uncle was away working, I missed school to do house chores, cook and look after the little kids. It is my little siblings, George and Ann, who inspire me to succeed. Being their role model, guiding them through primary school and teaching them to believe in their abilities are the achievements which I am most proud.

I wanted to make a difference in my village and worked extremely hard to pass my exams and uplift my community. Starehe Girls’ Centre had been my dream school because of the academic excellence it offers disadvantaged adolescent girls. It was my only chance of getting a secondary education and I guarded the dream like a treasure. Starehe is very competitive. Having very little time for my academics while at home, I had to study till very late in the nights. I applied, scored high on the national exams and was selected to join girls from all over the country.

While in Form 4 I was selected to join the Global Give Back Circle. The Global Give Back Circle was founded in 2006 by Linda Lockhart to transition disadvantaged girls into empowered women. All girls in the program have mentors. Margie French is my mentor. She is from the USA. She has helped make me a more confident and informed young woman reinforcing what not to give up on and what is really important. She represents a ‘mother figure ‘in my life for which I’ll forever be grateful.

To utilise the long 20-month gap period between secondary and tertiary schools in Kenya, girls in the Global Give Back Circle attend a 9-month ICT workshop in Microsoft and Cisco Networking solutions. It was at this time that the Global Give Back Circle asked Standard Chartered to invest in girls. In line with private sector value of human capital as ‘good investment’, Standard Chartered decided to sponsor five girls in the Global Give Back Circle through a unique work/study programme. They interviewed 17 girls in the ICT class. I was selected! I interned at the Bank for 16 months before university and return during breaks rotating to new departments.

The Bank is a great place to work with a remarkable brand belief: “To be here for People, for Progress, Here for the long run and Here for Good”. The staff works to high standards and shares best practises. I feel I am a part of a successful team. I have met inspiring individuals and learnt to be creative and assertive. I have been trained to work quickly, thoughtfully and effectively to deliver the best solutions for our customers. I’m privileged to have worked in six departments and have gained valuable experience. I now make informed and effective financial decisions in a bid to respond competently to life events. The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of dreams.

While first interning, I lived with an aunt in Kibera. I personally took this as a challenge and strived to liberate myself. I am delighted that I have managed to move a step towards success. Today I am living in a more secure and comfortable environ.

Through the sponsorship of Standard Chartered Kenya, I have been enabled to complete my tertiary education. I am on an empowerment journey to fully realise my political, economic and social strengths. I look forward to pursuing a career in Corporate and Investment Banking.

The Global Give Back Circle drives long term sustainability by embedding a give- back ethos among the beneficiaries. I have a give-back commitment at St. Martins High in the Kigbare slum where I mentor and tutor Forms 1 and 2 girls. This is aimed at improving their academic performances and creating social awareness of hygiene and diseases.

The Global Give Back Circle has grown to 535 girls. Linda envisions that the girls in the program will complete the circle and run the programme. In February 2012, the first election was held to select a Scholars Governing Council. It was a competitive contest and required a smart campaign strategy. I am delighted to have been elected by the other beneficiaries to serve on the council. It is a blessing and I am humbled to be a member of the Global Give Back Circle. It has been a life-transforming experience.

My siblings continue to inspire me. Evelyne, my immediate junior, also attended Starehe and studies at Kenyatta University. Anne and George are still in primary school with brilliant academic performances. I feel delighted to be an agent of transformation in their lives. God bless!

Global Give Back Circle: Part 1

Inspired by the Global Give Back Circle, a network of successful women working to transition disadvantaged girls out of poverty – Standard Chartered sponsored 10 girls to attend the Starehe Girls’ Centre in Nairobi. Five of these girls were offered internships at the Bank- one being Irene Odiero.

Stay tuned to read her story in her own words...

Goalprogramme.org available now!

Our Goal curriculum is now available to you through GoalProgramme.org

Launched today by our partners, Women Win, this interactive web platform will allow organisations globally to use the Goal curriculum, empowering more girls through sport and life skills education.

GoalProgramme.org   gives organisations the opportunity to adapt the curriculum activities to their local community needs and share these changes. There's also a strong monitoring and evaluation so we can see the impact we're creating together.

Have a look at the site and let us know what you think by commenting below this post. We want our curriculum to try and reach as many girls as possible.
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Netball News

We are very proud to announce that our very own Goal Delhi participant, Savita, from the Aali Gaon site, was selected to represent the Delhi team in the Netball Senior National tournament!

Savita took part in the week long selection camp which was held in Haridwar (Uttarakhand) in March. Her team did fantastically well and came second out of 32 teams!

After the match Savita said; “I have fulfilled a dream by playing at the National Games.”

Savita graduated from the Goal programme in January 2012 and is currently pursuing a Post graduate degree through correspondence in Arts. She said her goal for the future is "to play on the National Team at the International Level. It's competitive, but I will work hard. I will go!”

Congratulations Savita, we wish you all the best!

Goal Delhi celebrate International Women’s Day

International Women's Day was truly marked in India with over 200 Goal girls and their mothers coming together to celebrate at AAli Goan.

Dynamic women from different professions were invited to address the girls and share their personal stories. The event was organized at Aali Gaon by the Goal team and focussed on Economic Empowerment, an important issue for our Goal girls and women all around the world.

There was a painting competition for the girls and eleven mothers took part in the Rangoli competition where they had to decorate a square feet floor using different colours and white chalk powder. The winner of the competition said;

“For the first time in my life I have taken part in anything. I am so happy to receive this prize in front of my daughter.”

The event continued with passion and enthusiasm as all the girls danced and applied colors to each other in celebration of Holi.

Happy Women's Day to all!

What did you do to mark today?

Today of all days, is a time when we should be thinking most about how we can empower more girls in communities across the world. And why? Today's International Women's Day.

This morning I attending an inspirational Women Win event to launch their new global campaign 'One Win Leads To Another'. Have a look at their awesome new video:




To make the event even more special to us here at Goal, Kalyani, our Goal India leader from the Naz Foundation, was part of the panel of speakers. While Kalyani's here in the UK, back in India, all our Goal sites have been busy celebrating today...

Stay tuned to find out what's been going on at all our global Goal sites today.

The Goal Mumbai Netball League 2012

On Saturday 18 February the final matches of the Goal Mumbai Netball League were held at the YMCA Jhoola Maidan.

Naz Foundation, the national Implementing partner for Goal, organised the Netball League Tournament where matches were organized within the Goal sites. The 10 best players were selected to represent the school/community in the final round.

This tournament provided a wonderful opportunity for talented young Goal girls to showcase their skills in netball, and compete to win medals. This was the first time the girls had participated in a formal tournament complete with sport kits!

The team from Asha Sadan, who were cheered enthusiastically by their Superintendent and the crowd, won the match by 6 Goals. All participants received medals and certificates and the winning team received gold medals and the trophy - Goal Mumbai Netball Cup!

Spectacular extravaganza from uni girls at India’s ‘Femfest 2012’

Femfest 2012, held by Sathyabama University in Chennai, displayed woman power in all its glory.

Setting ‘Cancer Awareness’ as the theme of the event, the girl-only affair saw a series of cultural contests, creative enterprises and workshops catering to a strong crowd of over 1000 girls from all over India.

Ms Shubharani, a Professor at the University said:“We used this as an avenue to promote cancer awareness among young women; the girls visit the Cancer Institute weekly, spend time with the patients and understand the realities of life in order to support the cause,”

Volunteers dressed in lavender and dark peach shirts and stars including singer Chinmayi, VJ Paloma and super model Pradhayini Sarvothaman graced the fest as guests and judges. There were various events like Western and Folk dance, a talent show and a themed fashion rampwalk, all designed to expose student’s talents in an enjoyable manner. The workshops on fireless cooking, personality grooming and hair styling were inundated with girls during the two days, amid a lot of giggles and hoots. But the loudest cheers were reserved for Chinmayi’s concert where the vocalist was in her elements, even mingling with the girls and joining in the celebrations.

Third year student, Sangeetha Subramanian said:“I particularly enjoyed the fashion show and the unique displays during our talent contest. The crowd went frantic and urged us to conduct this next year as well!”

Read the full story

Global News: 15 February

“We must empower women to create the future we want!” was the message that went out yesterday to the Unites Nations Member States by the Deputy Secretary General Asha-Rose Migiro. She encouraged the UN to boost economic empowerment for women and warned that gender discrimination around the world was too widespread; she also encourage them to support women in helping them realize the global community’s common goals.

Asha-Rose highlighted the struggles faced by women in rural communities around the world and urged governments to economically empower women living in the countryside. She said:

“All too often, we find the worst poverty in the countryside. And women are too often the poorest of the poor. Rural women really need our attention,” she told the gathered delegates, noting that discrimination against rural women “hurts everyone.”

Asha-Rose said in her closing remarks:

“Too many countries still have discriminatory laws on the books. Laws that prevent women from inheriting property, laws that restrict women’s freedom, and laws that undermine women’s rights are all laws that must be repealed,”

Read the full story.

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