• Daystar University
• 10 Nov, 2023

By Arnold Fedha

The fulfilling feeling of giving back to the community and contributing to societal development is a true depiction of humanity. As a way of showing gratitude and giving back to the community, the Daystar University Graduating Class of 2023 sought to conduct a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activity at Greenland Girls, a special teenage mother’s secondary school that houses approximately 95 teenage mothers aged between 13 & 20 who have survived cultural practices like early marriages and FGM, rape and mistreatment by their guardians.

The activity that took place on the 21st of October 2023 was guided by the 46th Graduation theme, Legacy of Light: Woven in Purpose that illustrates the intricate design of God’s plan for each graduate’s life, highlighting the unique threads that have shaped them, and encouraging them to embrace their purpose in the grand tapestry of creation.

The institution is under the leadership of 2 directors who are also the founders, a manager, principal and a team of 11 teachers. It is highly geared towards amplifying the voices of girls and young women faced by obstacles in life that hinder their woven purpose in life by the creator.

The CSR programme began by an interactive tree planting session where over 100 trees were planted by the visiting team, together with the girls, an initiative aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and maintaining a green environment for posterity. This was preceded by a devotion ceremony that acted as an ice breaker and opportunity for blending between the Daystarians and the young girls.

For deeper and meaningful conversations, special breakout teams were created to aid the interaction of the young girls with psychologists and team leaders of the various care groups that attended to their concerns. It is at this point that the girls felt relieved of burning issues, shared their life stories and intentionally gave their experiences as young mothers.

The young girls were educated on matters health care, sex education and the importance of having healthy relationships for their productivity.

Upon visiting the special homes, the graduating class had an opportunity to engage and play around with some of the young babies who are usually left with a caregiver as the girls proceed to class for their daily routine. It was such a great joy seeing the little angels being embraced and appreciated at their tender age.

The Graduating Class partnered with the Daystar University Students Association (DUSA), Lukenya Pillars of Transformation (LPT), Infinite Hope, Ladies in Leadership Association (LILA), The MAA Girl Foundation, Global Peace Foundation (GPF), Philemon Foundation, Girls’ Health ED and the CYCLA Systems Limited who immensely supported the CSR activity thus making it a worthwhile experience for the young mothers.

To crown the CSR initiative, the Graduating Class of 2023, partners and philanthropists, donated various items including self-care products, foodstuffs, clothing for both the babies and their mothers, and stationery for the form 4 candidates and other students as well. Through Daystar University’s ethos of Excellence, Transformation & Servant-leadership instilled in the graduates, they managed to make the CSR activity a success and of great impact to the teenage mothers who have resorted in turning on a new leaf of life guided by with their legacies of light that have been woven in a special purpose of life.