PHN Helps Adolescent Girls From Across the World Through Girl Up

Feature

By Sarah Vanderhuevel 

Husky Herald Reporter

  When you hear about the club “Girl Up”, you might think that it is a feminist group or just another

extracurricular activity. However, this is not the case, Port Huron Northern chapter of Girl Up was started this year by three students: Megan Burns (’15), Aishah Ahmed (’16), and Sophia Ahmed (’17).

  Since it is relatively new to most students at Northern, I asked them to give a brief overview of what Girl Up is all about.

  “Girl Up is a United Nations sponsored campaign that works toward the equality of education,

healthcare, and basic human rights for adolescent girls in developing countries,” said Burns.

  “Our goal is to educate our community, advocate to our government officials, and fundraise. By doing this, we can supply school supplies, vaccinations, medical checkups, birth registration, and scholarships

to poverty-stricken, adolescent girls”, added Ahmed.

  This is not some “girls are better than boys” campaign. Girl Up is about fighting for girls that do not have the ability to do so themselves.  By donating time and money, this organization strives to make a difference in young girls’ lives all over the world. Students at Northern, both girls and boys, are encouraged to take part.

  Not only is it for a good cause, it is also a great way to meet other students and get involved. “What I love about Girl Up is that it encourages teens to take a stand for something that is affecting adolescents just like them,” said Burns.

   “It is a fun way to meet people who have the same passions as me”, commented Anu Nandi (’15). She definitely got to meet some students like her, as the attendance was over 30 people at the first meeting.

  If students at PHN can learn anything from Girl Up, it is that what we have should not be taken for

granted. Education is a PRIVILIGE. In countries like Malawi and Guatemala, some girls can’t be worried about their education.

  Their first concern is what they are going to eat today or protecting themselves. Girl Up hopes to change that.

  “If we start paying attention to the world around us now, soon we will be able to change it. I hope that one day we can fully erase the ignorance of what goes on outside our town” said Burns.