The programme was launched at the TelOne Topyard Depot in Bulawayo and attracted a number of girls from various schools around Bulawayo. In a press statement, TelOne Corporate Communications Head Mrs Melody Harry said the programme is meant to benefit 200 girls country wide.
"The year- long TelOne Girls Mentorship programme was launched in Harare last year, in the month of October as a symbolic celebration of the Day of the Girl Child which falls on 11 October every year. On the launch day, TelOne committed to take the programme to other regions and hence we are here to launch in Bulawayo," she said.
"Through the programme, TelOne is enrolling 200 girls countrywide and taking them through a series of empowering topics with different experts.
"These include leadership development, Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Skills, Financial literacy, Grooming and Etiquette, Sexual Reproductive Health among other topics. The programme is running until 31 July 2019 where a Graduation ceremony will be held for selected girls."
Harry said the group of girls in Bulawayo consist of 50 form 4 and form 5 girls from different schools which include Sobukazi High School and Emakhandeni Secondary School.
The group of girls will receive training and will be attached to a lady mentor from TelOne who will host the girls during their ‘Job Shadowing week' and support them throughout their Queenmakers' journey. Throughout the year, the girls will be engaged for at least 3 interactive sessions with their mentors and other experts.
"Our goal is to nurture and support the girls' talents while we help turn them into empowered, confident and exposed Queens equipped with knowledge to make decisions about their future and careers. Furthermore the mentorship programme seeks to enhance personal development skills through interactive communication, critical thinking and decision making initiatives. It will provide professional development opportunities that will prepare young girls for the workplace," she added.
Harry said the programme patron is the TelOne Managing Director Mrs Chipo Mtasa who is passionate about the development of girls.
Some of the ladies who came through for the TelOne Girls mentorship programme launch are, prominent former Miss Zimbabwe Lorraine Maphala-Phiri and Khulumani FM Radio personality Hlengiwe Mtetwa.
Maphala-Phiri shared her life-story and her journey on how she became Miss Zimbabwe. Her topic was "Your background has no bearing on your destiny".
Other than her career journey and life-story Mtetwa shared on "leadership qualities and Queening from where you are".
