“This Journey has been fulfilling, a blend of purposeful conversations, learning and growth for myself and the girls.”
—Dr. Faith Ugbeshe, GYST Mentor
As the 6-month mentorship phase of the GYST project comes to a close, the Dbegotin team sat down with the GYST mentors to hear their reflections on the journey so far. The conversation offered inspiring insights and reaffirmed the profound impact the project has had on both mentors and mentees. Today, we’re sharing excerpts from our discussion with Dr. Faith Ugbeshe and Mrs. Erefama Ekine Esonanjor.
Dbegotin: Tell us, how did the journey start out for you and your mentees?
Mrs Erefema: When I first joined the GYST mentorship program by the Dbengotin Educational Foundation, I was eager to make a difference. As a Lecturer and Researcher in Environmental Geoscience, I was paired with two bright girls—Lois Kolo from JSS Pasali, Abuja and Queen James from JSS Jikwoyi. We set the stage in our first meetings full of optimism and nervous excitement. I introduced myself not just as a lecturer, but as someone who once was a curious student like them. They, in turn, opened up about their aspirations and challenges. Our early conversations were the prologue to our journey, establishing trust and setting goals for the months ahead.
Dbegotin: Amazing. The GYST Mentorship aims to inspire the next generation of female innovators. Tell us about your mentees, their aspirations, and how you were able to groom them in line with their future goals.
Dr. Faith: Over the past six months, I have had the honour of mentoring Dorcas and Chioma. From our very first sessions, it was clear that these girls carried within them the potential to rise far beyond their current realities. Chioma was inquisitive and goal-driven, and Dorcas, more reserved at the start, began to grow in confidence over time. We explored STEM topics, SMART goal setting, discipline, etc. I guided them in crafting both short and long-term academic goals, I reviewed their academic challenges and successes, and introduced them to curated resources for self-paced learning. I also helped them appreciate the value of consistent effort, and the resilience needed to thrive in STEM.
Mrs. Erefema: Lois is a JSS2 student hoping to become a nurse, and Queen, in JSS3, is training to be a doctor. Lois is highly intelligent and determined. Every week, her voice would ring with enthusiasm as we talked through her coursework, celebrated her high scores in science, and strategised on challenging subjects. Queen on the other hand, would excitedly share how her father quizzed her on biology terms or how she managed to solve a tricky math problem after much practice. My mentoring approach was structured around providing academic guidance, encouragement, and practical strategies for success. I established a consistent communication schedule to monitor progress and provide guidance, identified and addressed academic challenges, encouraged them to form reading groups with academically strong peers, and recommended AI tools as study aids.
Dbegotin: Would you say these strategies worked? Have you witnessed your mentees grow over time?
Mrs Erefema: Based on my observations and interactions with both mentees, I believe the mentorship has had great impact. Lois maintained her determination to pursue nursing despite academic challenges, she developed better study habits and time management skills, and now exhibits increased confidence in approaching difficult subjects. Queen has also grown more confident in her decision to pursue medicine, and was resilient in overcoming challenges in mathematics.
Dr. Faith: One of the most rewarding aspects of this journey was witnessing the growth of my mentees. I observed tangible improvements, from better articulation of their thoughts, to increased interest in STEM subjects, to more deliberate academic planning. Looking back, I am confident that the seeds I have planted during these six months will continue to grow.
“This mentorship experience has reaffirmed my belief in the power of guidance and community. Sometimes, all a girl needs is someone to listen, to encourage, and to believe in her. I am grateful to have been that person for Dorcas and Chioma, and I look forward to the ripple effect of this impact in the years to come.”
—Dr. Faith Ugbeshe, GYST Mentor
Dbegotin: That’s really impressive. It’s heartwarming to know that this initiative is positively shaping the lives of young students. So moving on, what were the major challenges you faced in this journey, and what would be your recommendations for the Dbegotin team to incorporate in future GYST projects? Let’s start with you, Dr. Faith.
Dr. Faith: Of course, the journey was not without its challenges. Balancing their school schedules with our mentorship sessions required flexibility and patience. There were times when motivation waned, yet, those moments provided even more opportunities to teach them about consistency, and accountability.
Mrs. Erefema: During the mentorship, I faced several challenges. Sometimes, I had limited access to Lois due to dependence on her mother’s phone—her mother wasn’t always around to give her the phone. There once was a 6-week gap in communication with Lois due to her mother’s unavailability. Sometimes, professional responsibilities limited my availability too. Another challenge was reinforcing the same concepts repeatedly. This required me to be patient and explore varying approaches. Based on these experiences, I would like to suggest that the GYST program develops subject-specific resources that mentors can use to address common academic challenges. The role of parents in the mentorship process should also be formalised through regular updates and guidance.
Dbegotin: Thank you so much for the feedback. Based on these responses, we can better improve the experience for future mentors and mentees. On a final note, what are your hopes for your mentees as the mentorship phase ends in May?
Dr Faith: My hope for Dorcas and Chioma is that they remain curious, bold, and ambitious. I want them to see themselves as problem-solvers, innovators, and leaders in whatever STEM paths they choose to pursue.
Mrs. Erefema: My hope for Lois is a successful completion of her secondary education, with strong performance in science subjects. I hope she gains admission into a reputable nursing program, and becomes a compassionate and skilled healthcare professional who can combine technical knowledge with empathy. For Queen, I wish her excellence in her JSSEC & WAEC examinations, particularly in mathematics. I hope she gains admission to a medical school of her choice, and grows into a dedicated physician who contributes meaningfully to healthcare in Nigeria.
Dbegotin: Amazing, Amazing. It is also our earnest hope that these girls achieve their dream careers, and become inspirations to the next generation after them. Thank you so much, Dr. Faith and Mrs Erefema for your time. Dbegotin Educational Foundation sincerely appreciates the continued commitment of all our mentors. It is our hope and prayer that your efforts shall not be in vain. One day, these girls will look back and tell their story, and you would definitely be a huge part of that story. Thank you.
“I look forward to witnessing my mentees overcome the typical barriers that limit female participation in STEM fields. My hope is that they will not only achieve their individual career goals but also become advocates for other young girls interested in science and technology. I envision them returning to programs like GYST as mentors themselves, creating a positive cycle of female empowerment in STEM.”
—Mrs Erefema, GYST Mentor
