Dylis Kyei’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of initiatives like The Adolescent Girls Program initiated and funded by the UNFPA and Canada in empowering young individuals and fostering positive change within communities.
Joining the program at 19 years and now 23 years old, Dylis found herself at a crossroads, not actively engaged in any productive activities. It was her assemblyman who recognized her potential and informed her about the PAYDP program. Seeing an opportunity for personal growth and development, Dylis decided to join.
The Sexual Reproductive Health program provided Dylis with invaluable knowledge and skills, such as abstinence from sexual activities, adolescent health rights, and personal hygiene. These sessions equipped her with the tools to not only improve her own well-being but also to become an RHESY (Reproductive Health Education and Services for Young People) facilitator in the Yole Girls Club and she shared her newfound knowledge with other young girls in her community.
As a RHESY facilitator at The Yole Girls Club, Dylis took on the responsibility of educating and empowering her peers. She focused on topics like adolescent rights, awareness building, personal hygiene, and self-confidence. By imparting these lessons, she played a pivotal role in shaping the lives of other young girls, encouraging them to prioritize education, strive for excellence, and embrace their full potential.
“Dylis is the main facilitator and leader of all programmes in Bubuashie and mobilises all major community programmes with other marginalized girls she is also a great example to her peers.
Dylis said, “The programmes initiated by PAYDP have helped her to empower other girls in the community”.
Dylis’s testimonial underscores the significance of initiatives like the Adolescent Girls Programme in empowering girls at the grassroots level. By addressing critical issues facing young people and providing them with the necessary support and guidance, such a program not only empowers marginalized adolescent girls like Dylis but also creates ripple effects that benefit entire communities. Dylis’s hope for the program’s return reflects the enduring impact it has had on her life and the lives of those around her, underscoring the importance of continued investment in youth development initiatives.