LAST Friday, girls from as far as Westmoreland gathered at the Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston to be part of the ScotiaFoundation Girls Empowered for Motherhood and Success (GEMS) conference.

According to a release from Scotiabank, the exercise was a “heart-rending yet inspirational affair” that included testimonials from two teenaged mothers and a young father.

Since 2015, ScotiaFoundation, in collaboration with the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation and Junior Achievement Jamaica, has taken action to change the perspectives of young girls whose lives have been interrupted by adolescent pregnancy, by inspiring them to remain strong and positive about who they are, the release said on Monday.

Executive director of ScotiaFoundation, Joylene Griffiths, welcomed the attendees and encouraged the young mothers to set goals in their lives and to never give up on themselves.

“You are not less than anyone else. Things happen, life happens and a big part of life is how you get up, and that’s what we want you to understand today,” she said.

For the girls who were not mothers, the release said she petitioned: “We want you to listen to the challenges that you face when you become a teenage mother. And we want you to consider that before you step into parenthood.”

According to the release, the day was divided into segments that included inspirational testimonials from young women who shared their own stories of overcoming as they continue to pursue their dreams despite financial and emotional challenges. There were also break-out sessions on confidence building, soft skills, and other abilities necessary for career development.

The teenaged mothers who shared their stories — Yasheka Brooks and Oshin Gayle — brought people to tears as they shared the testimonies of their own journey, the release said.

Their stories were of disconnection from family support, especially financially, alienation within communities; and constant struggles to move beyond their present circumstances by completing high school and continuing their education.

Meanwhile, Dr Janice Lindsay, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Culture, Gender Affairs, Entertainment and Sports, brought greetings on behalf of Minister Olivia Grange. She encouraged the young women to take the lessons shared and think about the day’s offerings as an investment in building their own personal brands.

“The worst part of your life is sometimes when the best is born,” she said, as she implored them to focus on self-development.

But it was guest performer Alaine who topped the day off for the students, singing her popular songs while intermittently encouraging them to keep rising and to speak encouraging truths over their lives.

The day saw girls with their babies in tow, or on the way, accompanied by members of the Women’s Centre of Jamaica Foundation, and other teenagers from Holy Trinity High School, the Young Women’s Christian Association, and Homestead Place of Safety turning out. In an open forum, Scotiabank said they shared with each other, with some of the mothers expressing : “How could I give up when I had someone calling me mommy”; and “I’m not proud to be a teen mother, but proud to be a mother”; and “This has motivated me to know that this is not the end”.

As part of the ScotiaFoundation’s charge to never give up, presentations were made to the two young women who shared their testimonies. Both received trophies and contributions toward their continued educational development, the release said.