In those days, menstruation was a huge deal and very embarrassing. Everyone hid it, and those who hadn’t yet started their periods were treated like queens. Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of myself for taking the initiative to help others. I understand how girls went through their own struggles without any knowledge of their reproductive health. Many of my friends couldn’t achieve their potential due to early marriage, discrimination by teachers, and poor academic performance, often due to a lack of support. Some didn’t even know the importance of education and dropped out of school without a clear future.

Many girls faced difficulties coming to school because they lacked menstrual products. This often led to them dropping out and becoming pregnant. As I grew up and understood the solutions to these problems, I took it upon myself to educate young girls to make informed decisions and become empowered.

My father was a pastor at the Church of Christ and a headmaster at Mama Lee Preparatory School. I began talking to young girls after church services, helping them feel comfortable discussing menstruation and encouraging them to confide in their parents. I then moved to my father’s school, meeting with the girls every Wednesday to educate and motivate them. The girls were happy and sometimes visited me at home to discuss their issues.

I developed a deep passion for this work. What we didn’t have in school, I wanted to provide for these young girls. I started visiting schools and churches, sharing my ideas and empowering girls. I opened a pad bank at my father’s school and taught the girls how to make their own washable pads. I was determined not to stop there. I spent my own resources moving from school to school, church to church, helping build a brighter future for young girls.

This passion led to the creation of the Adoma Benyarko Girl Child Foundation. I shared my mission with others, who also developed a love for it. We collaborated with healthcare workers and social workers, setting our mission and vision, and moving from community to community. We were truly making a difference.

Eventually, we rebranded as Aspire Beyond Girl Child Foundation because it was no longer just about me; it was about a group united to build better communities. With God’s help, we registered our foundation through Social Welfare and the Registrar General.

Reflecting on what I went through and what my friends endured, I am committed to breaking the cycle of ignorance. We are fighting for the well-being of every adolescent in every community we visit. Our foundation is a testament to resilience, compassion, and the unyielding desire to create a better future for young girls

Elizabeth Adoma Benyarko
Founder of Aspire Beyond Girl Child Foundation.