There was a time when Bea sat silently in class, convinced she didn’t belong.

Her family was struggling. And although a government initiative made it possible for her to attend school, her parents didn’t want her there. As a girl, her education was not a priority. No one asked what she had learned that day. No one encouraged her to keep going. Some days, it felt like she was invisible.

“I used to be so lonely. I hated everyone, doubted myself, and felt useless,” Bea shared.

Across East Africa, many girls still face similar challenges. Even when they’re technically enrolled, poverty, household responsibilities, pressure to marry early, or simply being overlooked can cause them to drift away from school. When girls feel unsupported—both emotionally and practically—their education is often the first thing to suffer.

Bea was on the edge of that reality. Though she showed up to school each day, she felt hopeless and alone. If nothing changed, she might have quietly disappeared from the classroom altogether.

But then her teacher noticed.

Safe Classrooms for Girls

Bea’s teacher had recently joined Youth First Rwanda, a program run by Wellspring in partnership with WorldBeing. The training helps educators build emotionally supportive classrooms where students feel seen, heard, and safe enough to grow.

This might sound simple, but for students who are used to being overlooked or harshly criticized, a space like this can be life-changing.

Instead of ignoring Bea’s silence, her teacher reached out and invited her to join a small group of students who were part of the Youth First Rwanda program.

For the first time, Bea entered a space where she was encouraged to be honest about her struggles. She connected with others who understood what she was going through. And something shifted.

“Youth First Rwanda created a supportive environment where I could open up and share my challenges with other students going through similar experiences,” Bea said. “Connecting with them was a huge relief.”

When girls feel emotionally safe and supported, they begin to see themselves differently. That kind of transformation can shape the rest of their lives.

Rebuilding Confidence from the Inside Out

The sessions covered everything from goal-setting and time management to conflict resolution and identifying personal strengths. One moment especially stood out for Bea: a story about a football player named Karamuka, who suffered an injury before a big match but chose to find purpose in his pain instead of giving up.

“Instead of getting lost in the problem he was facing, he found opportunity in his challenge,” Bea reflected.

That story helped her reframe her own struggles.

With each session, Bea’s confidence grew. She started to believe in her ability to succeed—in school and in life. She learned how to ask for help, focus on her goals, and lead herself with courage and self-respect.

“I’m a confident, forgiving, and social person,” she said. “I have hope for the future, and I’m determined to achieve my dreams.”

When a Girl Sees Her Own Potential

Today, Bea is working toward a distinction in her classes. She dreams of studying architecture at the University of Rwanda—a dream she might never have voiced if not for the space her teacher created.

Her transformation didn’t come from a textbook. It came from being listened to. From being given the chance to see herself differently.

When girls like Bea are given the emotional tools to understand themselves and connect with others, the impact is enormous. They’re more likely to stay in school, perform well, and build healthy relationships. They learn how to handle stress, speak up for themselves, and dream bigger dreams.

These girls don’t just become stronger students. They become resilient leaders—ready to shape the world around them.

Bea’s story shows us what can happen when we move beyond textbooks and test scores and create classrooms that truly support the whole child. Because when girls like Bea and Lydia are given the space to thrive, their education doesn’t just change their lives—it changes everything.