Meet 14 year-old Farrah, the only girl in her family of six. Farrah always had a dream that fueled her every waking moment – she aspires to become an architect.
In a family where dreams are encouraged and supported, Farrah’s parents play vital roles. Her mother works with an NGO, dedicating herself to making the world a better place, while her father is a university lecturer, shaping young minds with knowledge. The values they instilled in Farrah were clear – take your studies seriously, be friendly, and always be honest.
When asked about her future aspirations, Farrah revealed that she had only heard of one architect in her family – her aunt, and she says, “My aunt is the one who drew the house plan of my grandmother’s house. So I also want to become like her and maybe one day I can make the house plan for my mother and father.”
However, Farrah understands that the path to becoming an architect will may come with challenges. Mathematics, a subject that doesn’t come naturally to her, poses a significant hurdle. Nevertheless, Farrah expresses her determination to improve and overcome her mathematical challenges to reach her dreams.
For Farrah, education is the key unlocking her dreams and achieving her goals in life. She acknowledged that, especially for girls, education holds a special significance. In some parts of Ghana, societal perceptions hold girls back from completing their education and issues like child marriage. She says, “They decide to only send boys to school, leaving girls thinking that girls are supposed to do the household chores, like washing bowls, sweeping and taking care of their younger siblings.”
Farrah believes that education allows individuals to lead good lives in society. She says, “Education is important for girls because we want to prove to the world that what men can do women can also do it and even better.” This powerful declaration encapsulates the essence of her mission. She envisions a world where girls are encouraged to dream, aspire, and achieve their goals without fear of discrimination or bias.