Hand-to-Mind Club Writing Competition 2025
My Voice Against Violence: Unfolding Stories of Change and Courage
Celebrating Youth Voices for the International Day of the Girl Child
In honor of International Day of the Girl Child (Oct 11) , The Smile Outreach is launching the inaugural Hand-to-Mind Club Writing Competition. This national contest empowers students to use creative writing as a platform for advocacy and change.
Aligned with The Smile Outreach’s mission to educate and empower adolescents on issues like sexual grooming, menstrual equity, and reproductive health , the competition builds on the proven Hand-to-Mind Club model. These clubs use engaging educational tools – including comic books, flashcards, puzzles and games – to spark critical conversations about gender equity, health, and community issues . By inviting students to write essays or stories, we give them a new outlet to share their ideas and solutions on topics from adolescent health to gender-based violence.
Objectives
Encourage Creative Expression & Advocacy
Give young people a voice through storytelling and essays, strengthening youth-led advocacy .
Deepen Engagement with Social Issues
Focus on pressing topics (e.g. gender-based violence, child marriage, menstrual health) to raise awareness in safe, educational settings .
Expand Safe-Space Clubs
Grow the Hand-to-Mind network of school clubs, so more students have supportive forums to discuss sensitive issues .
Showcase Youth Perspectives
Highlight students’ insights on gender equity, education, and health – amplifying their voices to inspire community change .
Who Can Enter? (Eligibility & Structure)
Open to schools and students ages 10–17 in any Nigerian school nationwide
During the competition day, entries may be short essays or creative pieces (stories, poems, etc.) on this year’s theme, allowing students to “express their thoughts on key societal issues” in their own words .
Intending and Participating schools must register their school and competition students through our application form
Key Dates
- Applications Open: 1st week in July (1st July, 2025)
- Applications Close: Mid September 2025 (15th September,2025)
- Screening & Shortlisting: 15th September 2025 – 22nd September, 2025
- Top 20 schools are selected for the competition
- Shortlisted Students will be notified on September 24th, 2025
- Competition Day: Friday, October 10th, 2025
- To be held at a select location.
- Invigilated by TSO Volunteers and Youth Lab Fellows.
- Event Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins max
- Image Release: October 11, 2025 (International Day of the Girl Child).
- #VAV25 and Award Ceremony: Selected finalists pitch their entries to a panel of judges. Winners and consolation prizes announced.
- A total of 10 students will pitch their entries to the Judges
- Top 3 people would get prices of
- 1st Prize: ₦500,000
- 2nd Prize: ₦300,000
- 3rd Prize: ₦200,000
- 4th-10th Will be provided with Certificate of Participation, Consolidation prices from Partners.
How to Enter
Prizes & Rewards
₦500,000 Scholarship: Awarded to the top-performing student, supporting their continued education .
N300,000 scholarship to the first runner up
N200,000 scholarship to the second runner up
Consolation prizes for the Top 10
Winning School Trophy: A trophy and official recognition for the school with the strongest overall performance
Resource Packs (Clubs Expansion): Five new schools will each receive a Hand-to-Mind toolkit (100 comics and flashcards) to launch or strengthen their own club .
Media Spotlight: The top 30 submissions will be featured on The Smile Outreach’s social media throughout October, celebrating these young changemakers .
What You’ll Gain
- Leadership & Advocacy Skills: Learn to craft persuasive narratives that influence minds and policy.
- Public Platform: Showcase your work at a live event and across Smile Outreach channels.
- Peer Network: Connect with like-minded students, mentors, and advocates across 20 schools.
Ongoing Support: Join the Hand-to-Mind Clubs community year-round for workshops, resources, and mentorship.
Our Impact to Date
By centering adolescent creativity, the Hand-to-Mind Writing Competition empowers the next generation of leaders to drive community-led solutions on sexual and reproductive health, gender justice, and youth empowerment.
Reached over 6,000 adolescents with interactive learning tools
Trained 50 club facilitators to lead safe-space discussions
Sparked peer-led advocacy campaigns on menstrual equity, sexual grooming and cross-generational sexual relationships
Expanded into 16 new schools this year alone, building a growing network of youth changemakers
Expected Impact
This competition is more than a contest – it’s a catalyst for youth empowerment and social change. By centering young voices on topics like education, gender equity, and menstrual health, we shine a spotlight on the real concerns of adolescents.
As participants share their stories and solutions, they raise community awareness of issues like gender-based violence and healthy lifestyles.
This process “encourages more youth engagement in advocacy” and ensures that students “voices shape a better future” .
Winners and finalists will be recognized as ambassadors of change, gaining confidence and leadership skills. Importantly, expanding the Hand-to-Mind Clubs (through our resource packs prize) brings these conversations into new schools and communities – creating more safe spaces for dialogue and learning.
How to Get Involved
Schools
Sponsors
Testimonials
Our work would not be possible without the contributions of our partners. Thank you for supporting our mission to create a safer world for all.
