The Counseling Program at the Methodist Girls’ High School, Freetown
On April 17, 2021, the MGHS Alumnae Association, NY/NJ/CT/MA Branch organized a fundraising event to establish a counseling program at the Methodist Girls’ High School in Freetown. Following that event, a Counseling Program Committee was set up and six members from the branch became involved in the committee; they held meetings regularly to formulate a vision, mission, and goal plan.
Establishing this program to help the students at the Junior Secondary School, is a step in the right direction. We live in a world with high levels of stress, trauma, persistent mental health problems, depression, anxiety, etc., and the fundamental purpose of counseling is to discuss these issues that are prevalent in this complex world. Financial problems are also a deterrent for the parents of some of the students, and to help them alleviate these issues, the MGHS Washington Metro Branch provided scholarship awards to some of the students.
The virtual launch of the Counseling Program on May 27 is also a fundraising event. The association will showcase the students when they perform a stage play, Overcoming Challenges, and participate in dance and gym performances. There are also interviews with the students, the Counselor, and the Principal of the Junior Secondary School; during the interviews, you will note that the students love this program, which addresses topics relating to their emotional and academic needs.
