Gender Equality Nigeria Project #59064

Help Boys Thrive: Ignite Hope

by BOYS MENTORING ADVOCACY NETWORK

Project Report | Jun 16, 2025
Help Boys Thrive: Ignite Hope

By Ola Akinwe | Project Leader

Dear Valued Supporters, Partners & Donors,

Thank you for your unwavering support of the Help Boys Thrive: Ignite Hope initiative. Your generosity has empowered us to make a transformative impact on the lives of young boys through our mentoring workshops. This quarterly report highlights the key activities and outcomes of our recent efforts, showcasing the progress made in fostering growth, resilience, and purpose in our mentees.

Program Highlights1. Mentoring Workshop: Reclaiming Your Color

Theme: Embracing Authenticity in a World of Conformity
This workshop encouraged boys to explore their unique identities and resist societal pressures to conform. Through critical thinking exercises, vulnerability-sharing sessions, and actionable steps toward authenticity, participants were inspired to embrace their true selves. The short film Alike served as a powerful catalyst, sparking meaningful discussions about individuality and self-expression.

Impact: Mentees developed greater self-awareness and confidence in expressing their unique identities, equipping them to navigate societal expectations with authenticity.

2. Mentoring Workshop: Lifted - Rising Above Challenges

Focus: Persistence and Growth Mindset
This session emphasized the value of learning from failure and building resilience. Through teamwork activities and reflective discussions, participants were encouraged to reframe mistakes as opportunities for growth. The short film Lifted provided a relatable framework for exploring perseverance and confidence-building.

Impact: Boys gained practical tools to overcome challenges, fostering a growth mindset and stronger collaboration skills that will serve them in academic and personal pursuits.

3. Mentoring Workshop: Becoming Men

Collaboration: Lagos City College and Senior Men Africa
Led by Ola Akinwe, this impactful session reached 600 boys, focusing on the journey to manhood. The workshop incorporated the Million Mask Movement, encouraging participants to reflect on societal expectations of masculinity and embrace positive male role models. Through dynamic discussions and activities, mentees explored what it means to become responsible, compassionate men.

Impact: Participants left with a clearer understanding of positive masculinity, strengthened by role models and peer support, setting a foundation for leadership and integrity.

4. Mentoring Workshop: Fatherhood

Theme: Values of Fatherhood, Sacrifice, and Emotional Connection
Centered around the short film Father, this workshop created a safe space for boys to discuss the role of fathers and male role models. Guided discussions and reflective activities allowed mentees to share personal experiences, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence. The session emphasized the importance of sacrifice and connection in building strong relationships.

Impact: Mentees developed enhanced communication and interpersonal skills, greater empathy, and a deeper appreciation for the role of positive father figures, strengthening their emotional resilience.

5. Mentoring Workshop: Timeline Visualization - Letters to My Future Self

Focus: Crafting a Legacy at 80
This reflective workshop guided mentees in writing letters to their 80-year-old selves, encouraging them to articulate their aspirations, values, and long-term goals. The exercise fostered self-awareness, accountability, and a forward-thinking mindset, helping boys visualize their legacy.

Impact: Participants gained clarity on their life goals and developed a stronger sense of purpose, equipping them with a framework for intentional decision-making.

6. Mentoring Workshop: Introduction to Financial Literacy

Focus: Empowering Financial Decision-Making
This session introduced boys to essential financial literacy concepts not typically taught in school, such as budgeting, saving, and understanding money’s value. Interactive activities and discussions equipped mentees with practical tools to make informed financial decisions.

Impact: Participants gained foundational knowledge to manage finances responsibly, fostering confidence in navigating economic challenges and planning for their future.

Looking Ahead

The Help Boys Thrive: Ignite Hope initiative continues to empower young boys to become confident, authentic, and resilient men. With your continued support, we plan to expand our reach, deepen our workshop offerings, and further engage communities in fostering positive male role models.

We are immensely grateful for your partnership in this mission. Together, we are igniting hope and transforming lives.

Permalink

Feb 17, 2025
Defining a Boy & a Man Workshop

By Ola Akinwe | Project Leader

Dear Esteemed Donors,

With immense gratitude, we present the quarterly update for the "Help Boys Thrive: Ignite Hope" project. Our sincere thanks go out to you for supporting our mission to empower boys with the skills, understanding, and hope they need to thrive in today’s world.

This past quarter has been marked by exciting developments and impactful initiatives aimed at fostering personal growth and responsibility among boys.

1. Hampton College Lagos: "Defining a Boy and a Man" Workshop

- We had the privilege of hosting a group of boys from Hampton College, Lagos, for an engaging workshop focused on the theme "Defining a Boy and a Man."

- The workshop facilitated in-depth discussions about masculinity, responsibility, and self-awareness. Through interactive sessions, the boys explored what it means to transition from boyhood to manhood in a supportive and healthy manner.

- Feedback from participants indicated increased self-confidence and a clearer understanding of their personal values and goals.

2. BMAN Community Centre After-School Programs

- Our weekly after-school mentorship programs at the BMAN Community Centre have continued to thrive, providing a safe and nurturing space for boys to learn, grow, and connect.

- These programs include a diverse range of activities such as skill-building workshops, leadership training, and peer mentorship, all designed to empower boys to make positive life choices.

3. BMAN Peace Pledge Initiative

- A highlight of this quarter has been the launch of the BMAN Peace Pledge initiative, aimed at reducing youth violence and aggression.

- Through this initiative, boys are encouraged to commit to principles of non-violence and conflict resolution. The pledge has been integrated into our programs, with discussions on empathy, respect, and peaceful problem-solving.

- Early indications suggest a positive impact, with participating boys demonstrating a greater propensity for thoughtful dialogue and reduced aggressive behaviors.

Looking Ahead: Future Plans

As we look to the upcoming months, our focus remains on expanding the reach and impact of our programs:

- Scale Up Mentorship Initiatives: Plans are underway to increase the number of boys engaged in our mentorship programs, particularly targeting underserved communities.

- Further Develop the Peace Pledge Initiative: We aim to partner with local schools and community organizations to broaden the reach of the Peace Pledge, fostering a culture of peace and non-violence.

- Enhance Capacity for Workshops: Build on the success with Hampton College by hosting additional workshops and outreach activities, bringing the conversation on masculinity and growth to more educational institutions.

Your invaluable support has enabled us to make significant strides in empowering boys and igniting hope for their futures. While we celebrate these achievements, we recognize there is still much work to be done. With your continued support, we are confident that we can expand our impact and help more boys thrive.

Thank you for your commitment to this cause and for journeying with us as we uplift and empower the next generation of men.

Permalink

Oct 10, 2024
Emotional Transtioning Mentoring Program

By Ola Akinwe | Project Leader

Dear Valued Supporters,

We are pleased to share with you the latest developments and achievements of the "Being A Man - Mentoring Boys, Empowering Generations" initiative. This last quarter has been particularly exciting as we launched our virtual mentoring program, expanding our reach and enriching our participants' experiences.

Program Overview

This quarter, we launched our 12-week "Emotional Transitioning Mentoring Program", a virtual initiative designed to guide boys through the complexities of emotional growth and development. The program has welcomed participants from diverse regions, including the USA, Canada, Europe, and Africa, offering a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences.

Key Activities and Highlights

1. Virtual Mentoring Launch:
   - Successfully initiated the virtual mentoring class, engaging boys across different continents. This expansion has allowed us to reach a global audience, providing them the opportunity to connect, learn, and grow together.

2. Emotional Transitioning Focus:
   - The program is structured to guide boys through emotional transitions, equipping them with skills to manage emotions effectively, build emotional intelligence, and fostering personal development.
   - Interactive sessions cover a range of topics, including emotional awareness, empathy, communication skills, and resilience building.

3. Participant Engagement:
   - Weekly sessions have fostered active participation and engagement, with boys sharing experiences and learning from each other in a supportive environment.
   - The diverse mix of participants has enriched discussions, offering varied perspectives and insights that enhance learning.

4. Program Continuation:
   - The sessions are ongoing and will continue until the end of October, culminating in a virtual closing ceremony that will celebrate the achievements and growth of our participants.

Impact and Feedback

- Increased Emotional Awareness: Participants have demonstrated a growing awareness of their emotions and the ability to articulate their feelings more effectively.
- Enhanced Empathy and Communication Skills: The program has fostered greater empathy and improved communication skills, equipping boys to navigate interpersonal relationships with confidence.
- Positive Feedback: Initial feedback from participants and their guardians has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the value and impact the program has had on the boys' development.

Conclusion and Next Steps

Your generous support has been instrumental in making this virtual mentoring program possible. We are thrilled with the progress made thus far and are eager to continue offering valuable mentoring experiences that shape the next generation of men.

As we approach the final weeks of the program, we remain committed to providing an enriching and supportive environment for all participants. Following the program's conclusion, we plan to evaluate the impact, gather participant feedback, and explore opportunities to enhance and expand future mentoring sessions.

Thank you for your continued commitment and belief in our mission. Together, we are empowering boys and shaping them into the compassionate, confident men of tomorrow.

Permalink

1 2 3 ›

About Project Reports

Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.

If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.