91原创 Fundamental is 91原创鈥檚 first school to participate in an innovative after school program that teaches inner beauty and self-confidence to 鈥渢weenage鈥� girls.
BeaYOUtiful, which has been running in Surrey schools for three years, is about creating healthy lifestyles and relationships, said founder Taylor Hui, 20, a professional model and communications student at Simon Fraser University.
鈥淲e really focus on the concept of self-love, which is learning to love yourself first and appreciate your unique traits and your special attributes and embrace them,鈥� Hui said.
鈥淚n doing that, and learning to love who you are, you can pass that on to others and see others for their true beauty.鈥�
Hui came up with the concept when she was in Grade 11, and launched the program while she was in Grade 12. Targeting girls ages 10 to 13, Hui says she created the curriculum through her own personal experiences.
鈥淚n high school, a lot of my friends had self esteem issues, eating disorders and really tore people down to lift themselves up,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 thought, 鈥榳hat a backwards way for society to think like that.鈥� I ended up being bullied a lot, and I realized a lot of it stemmed from girls not having that confidence and being insecure. And that can stem from so many things, whether it鈥檚 parental support or their friends influencing them negatively.鈥�
Working with a team of mentors, each class in the six-week program focuses on a different aspect of healthy living. The girls have done Zumba lessons, raw beauty photo shoots, art therapy, healthy eating workshops and dream board building.
鈥淲e usually do 10 to 15 girls maximum because we find that having this close circle builds a really big sister friendship and the girls are willing to open up more,鈥� Hui said.
鈥淎nd our mentors are a young age, they range between 16 to 24. We do that specifically because we know the girls will open up on a completely different level. We鈥檙e not there to be a teacher or a councillor or a parent 鈥� it鈥檚 really a sister friendship.
鈥淚t鈥檚 crazy, but a lot of these girls just want someone to talk to.鈥�
In her experience, Hui says a lot of the self-esteem issues emanate from social media.
鈥淚 think, a lot of times, people start sourcing out what they like in other people, which is great 鈥� finding beauty in others is amazing 鈥� but I think that has to start from yourself first, and then you can pass it on to others,鈥� she said.
鈥淔or so many of these girls, when they wake up in the morning the first thing they do is go on Instagram. They鈥檙e lying in bed and they鈥檙e looking at these people who are going out and achieving things, or have a certain type of body or are in a tropical place. Automatically these lifestyle comparisons start happening. That can be a really negative way to start your day if it鈥檚 not inspiring thoughts of encouragement.鈥�
So far, the impact on the students has been amazing, Hui said.
鈥淚 have had girls that have come in to the class and have refused to speak and could barely say their name out loud because they were too intimidated, and they walk out by the end of it with a whole new personality 鈥� it鈥檚 transformed,鈥� she said.
鈥淭hey have a new sense of confidence and belonging. The girls, too, really changed their perspective on others, I find. They are a lot more welcoming and more inclusive and respectful of others.
鈥淚 definitely see transformations, and I wouldn鈥檛 be continuing it if I didn鈥檛.鈥�
Feedback from the girls themselves has also been encouraging.
鈥淚t鈥檚 an amazing program,鈥� said Christina Constantinou, a Grade 7 student at 91原创 Fundamental.
鈥淚 love that whenever you feel insecure about something, they鈥檒l go around in a circle and tell you what they really like about you.
鈥淚 also really like how they want us to be ourselves. They want us to be loud and crazy and how we are in front of other people.鈥�
Stefanie Robb, also a Grade 7 student, said she is sad to see the classes finish so quickly.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know what it was going to be like, and then I tried the first class, and I loved it so much,鈥� she said.
鈥淚 love that you have people to talk to and that you get to do different activities each week.鈥�
With the first sessions in 91原创 now complete, Hui is meeting with the 91原创 School District in January to see what other schools could benefit from BeaYOUtiful.
Those who are interested can also request the program at their school through the website, .
Photo: Taylor Hui, founder of BeaYOUtiful. Photo credit: Miranda GATHERCOLE/91原创 Times
