Najee, a young GoGirlGo! participant, tells us why she finds the program so inspiring and fun.
“My name is Najee, and I am in the fourth grade. Many times I feel intimidated and afraid of competition when boys are around. I feel better about moving my body when it is just us girls, but I don’t have time like this very often. At my school, many are considered overweight, and there are also a lot of girls with diabetes and asthma.
At home I live with just one parent, as do almost half of the kids in my neighborhood. Instead of being able to join in on some activities or to hangout with my friends, I am at home, taking care of my baby brother while my mom is at work. It wasn’t until I became part of the GoGirlGo! project that I found friends just like me and in an environment that felt safe.
My school got a GoGirlGo! grant, and being a part of the GoGirlGo! program made me feel safe, self-confident and more motivated. The GoGirlGo! journal that I read and wrote in showed me what it takes to be an athlete, and I realized how important coming to school prepared really was. I learned that I needed to focus on my subjects, even if I didn’t like them. My feelings have changed because of GoGirlGo!-I am brave and respectful.
With the GoGirlGo! lessons, we get to play sports in a safe area with our group leaders. Us girls feel comfortable and respected. I like these sports, and I know that they help me fight bad health habits. I really just want to show everybody I can do something they never thought I could do, and GoGirlGo! helps me do this.”
Help us continue to fund programs that give Najee and girls like her all over the country confidence in themselves and their bodies. With your donation, we can give grants in areas of dire need, where young girls are faced with many barriers to leading a healthy lifestyle.
Get A Girl Active - The easiest way you can inspire a girl is to make everything a team effort. A girl is more likely to be active if her parent, guardian or other key adult in her life is active. Let her see you making physical activity part of your life. Be a real-life hero as she sees you jogging that extra lap, attempting that 3-point shot, striking that yoga pose. There are a number of ways you can emphasize that you are in this together.
What is GoGirlGo!?
Read more about how GoGirlGo! has changed lives!