Mitchelle, 18, Nigeria

Basic need(s):

Education

Project:

AGENDA (African Girl-Child Education Nurturing and Developing Action)

When Mitchelle was born she was automatically betrothed to a complete stranger.  “Unfortunately, that’s how it is in my community.”  Tradition states that a man from the community claims his future bride by giving the baby’s family her bride price, leaving and returning twelve years later to take his wife home.  As a result, many young girls die during childbirth due to their bodies being physically unready for such a taxing ordeal.  The pre-teens who are lucky enough to survive the birthing process usually develop a condition known as VVF, or vesicovaginal fistula, a malady that allows the continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault.  As her 12th birthday approached Mitchelle became more and more determined to make sure that what happened to all of the girls she knew, including her cousins, did not happen to her.  Enter “AGENDA” (African Girl-Child Education Nurturing and Developing Action), a project which she created to assist herself and the countless others in her position.  By organizing road walks, rallies, seminars and community outreach programs, Mitchelle and her peers attempt to empower young girls and help them find their voices in society.  Since its inception two years ago, AGENDA has spread into 11 communities in two Nigerian states and influenced close to 23,000 girls.  Moreover, because of Mitchelle’s tireless advocacy the local government honored her petition and has put a stay on these types of arranged marriages pending a bill that will be voted upon.  “I believe a big change can occur in the world when girls are empowered.  A girl can just become the next Obama.  She may save the world in one area or another.  When girls are empowered, the world will be more peaceful.”