Sherifa, a young mother from Kunsu, entered the Chance Game piloting session with a heavy heart. Since becoming a teen mom, life had been filled with challenges—she had dropped out of school, felt judged by her peers, and struggled to find a way forward. When she received the invitation to join the session, it felt like a small but unexpected opportunity for something different.
At first, Sherifa was reserved, sitting quietly as the game began. She observed as the facilitator explained the rules, while her peers tentatively joined in. When her team drew a card about contraceptives, Sherifa paused, then asked a question that had been on her mind for years: "So, contraceptives don’t make you infertile?"
The clinical coordinator and facilitator responded with care, calmly dispelling myths and providing accurate, clear information. Sherifa listened closely, her understanding shifting with each explanation. As the game progressed, so did her confidence. With every scenario, she began to speak up more, her voice growing stronger and more assured.
By the end of the session, the quiet girl who had walked in had transformed. Sherifa eagerly shared what she had learned: the role of condoms in preventing STIs and unintended pregnancies, the truth about contraceptives, and the importance of making informed decisions. “This game has taught me so much I didn’t know,” she said, her face glowing with newfound hope.
Sherifa left the session feeling empowered, not just by the knowledge she had gained, but by the realization that she had the ability to change her own story. Her transformation was a powerful reminder of the Chance Game’s ability to educate, empower, and inspire young girls to take control of their futures.
Picture 1: Photo of teen mothers playing the Chance Game with Sherifa (in black T-shirt) actively engaged in the game.
Photo credit: WHW, December 2024
Story By:
Edison Dompreh
Project Officer, Women’s Health to Wealth
January 15, 2025.