The Achieve programme has helped Shana to overcome her shyness and join in at school, progressing from timid observer to active participant.

Aspiring hairdresser Shana, 14, used to be quiet and reserved in class, a far cry from the lively and energetic girl that her family know at home. She found it particularly difficult to speak to teachers or unfamiliar people.

With support from the Achieve programme, Shana has gradually come out of her shell, setting herself up for success at school – and in a future career where customer interaction is key. ‘Before the programme, I used to be very shy and would avoid speaking, but now I take part in activities and even volunteer without hesitation,’ she explains.

Delivered in schools across Malta through our partner MES, Achieve supports students to develop core skills, such as communication and teamwork, that will complement their other learning and help them to thrive.

Hands-on learning

Run as a weekly club or timetabled class, Achieve is based around practical, topic-based learning in small groups. A keen dancer, Shana enjoys being up on her feet and active, so the programme’s dynamic, hands-on approach to learning suited her better than traditional lessons that involve long periods of sitting still.

Alongside cookery and craft activities, Shana particularly enjoyed the community service elements of the programme, with soup kitchen and care home visits steadily building up her confidence and capacity to interact with people she doesn’t know.

‘I used to see myself as quiet and unsure, but now I feel more confident and willing to try new things,’ she explains.

‘Spending such a long time talking to someone I don’t know is definitely something I’ve never done before.’

Seasonal success

Towards the end of the school term, Shana threw herself into the Achieve Christmas markets, with stalls promoting and selling products across Malta’s capital city, Valletta. She also managed two stalls, selling granola and cookie jars, in her own school hall.

Shana’s ability not just to cope, but to thrive, in such a bustling environment, chatting to dozens of customers, was a measure of how far she had come in overcoming her shyness. ‘I didn’t think I could speak to so many people, but I actually enjoyed it and felt proud of myself,’ she recalls.

No holding back

Now that Shana has found her voice, she is able to join in classroom discussions and school activities with energy and enthusiasm, often stepping up to take part in activities that she would previously not have dared to engage with.

Shana can see the difference in herself, and knows that her newfound communication skills and confidence will stand her in good stead not only in school, but also in her future career.

‘I am most proud of how much more confident I have become and how I now take part in activities without holding myself back,’ Shana explains. ‘In the future, I hope to continue building my confidence and keep challenging myself to try new experiences without being afraid, especially because I want to become a hairdresser and having people in the salon means interacting and being
sociable.’

The Achieve programme in Malta has been generously funded by the HSBC Malta Foundation since its foundation in 2015, and has so far reached over 3,000 young people like Shana.