Grades 7/8: Nigerian Speaker Advocates for Girls
Graland students got a visitor all the way from Nigeria, a woman on a mission to "Bring our girls back, now and alive." Florence Ozor is a government affairs official for Nigeria Oil and Gas Company, but for the past six months her job has been to work tirelessly for the safe return of 219 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamist militants last April. The #bringbackourgirls movement is an international advocacy effort led by Florence and other activists.
Graland students got a visitor all the way from Nigeria, a woman on a mission to "Bring our girls back, now and alive."
Florence Ozor is a government affairs official for Nigeria Oil and Gas Company, but for the past six months her job has been to work tirelessly for the safe return of 219 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Islamist militants last April. The #bringbackourgirls movement is an international advocacy effort led by Florence and other activists.
This week Florence spoke to Grades 7/8 in an effort to raise awareness and support for the campaign. Prior to her arrival, 7/8 Service Council members created a presentation to introduce the topic so their peers could discuss in advisory.
"What you're doing in school will set a foundation for what your tomorrow will be," Florence told middle schoolers. "Girls like you were abducted from their school six months ago, and we don't know where they are. We are hoping the government will do something to bring them back. We need to get them back and get them back into the classroom to get an education. Every woman has a right to education irrespective of where she lives."
The presentation allowed plenty of time for questions, and all around the theater students patiently raised their hands.
Why did you start this organization?
"Nothing was being done. We need the government to do more to help these brave girls come home. They need someone to speak up for them."
Do you know any of the girls personally?
"No, I have never been to that part of the country. But if you love your family and love others, put yourself in their shoes and do something to help."
What does the terrorist group want?
"They have made demands for money and to exchange prisoners. The government is not telling us all the details of their discussions."
What would you say to the girls if you could talk to them?
"I would say, 'We love you and we're waiting for you to come home. We're doing everything we can to help you.'"
Before she left, Florence reminded students that it is a privilege to go to school in a secure environment. "Be thankful because not everyone has that," she said. "Some countries have no school. In other places, children your age want to learn but their families can't afford it." She encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity and to make their parents, and "Auntie Florence," proud.
"All the students were really engaged and they wanted to know more," says Diana Quezada, 7/8 Service Council advisor. "This topic relates to our service council's interest in women's education through our work with Peruvian Hearts. It's the same idea of providing education to girls so that entire families, villages and countries can be helped."
Florence's visit was coordinated by parent Holiday Goodreau and the Global Livingston Institute, a local organization that exists to positively impact the health and vitality of communities in East Africa and inform others through research, exchange of ideas and knowledge sharing. See Florence's interview on 9News.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
