From 9 to 23: They Write Their Own Stories

What does a 9-year-old girl dream of? What does a 23-year-old woman fear? On the occasion of the International Day of the Girl, celebrated on October 11, we give them a voice. Through these four perspectives, an entire generation speaks out: free, clear-sighted, and determined to no longer remain silent.

Anne-Gaëlle Bigaignon, 19: “No one will decide my life for me”
Currently in Grade 13, Anne-Gaëlle Bigaignon combines passion and commitment: singer, volleyball player, Communication Officer at the Youth Pastoral Council, a pillar of the LEO Club Omega at Barkly Residence, assistant secretary of the LEO District, and a loyal volunteer at the Sacré-Cœur Beau-Bassin parish for 12 years.

Anne-Gaëlle, what has changed the most in how you see yourself since your teenage years?
From the very beginning of my adolescence, I have been very responsible. This sense of duty and early maturity pushed me to take on responsibilities very early, sometimes even before I was truly prepared. But in hindsight, I know that this is what has shaped me.

Over the years, I have learned to know myself better, to distinguish between what brings me peace and what disrupts my balance. I understood that I can get along with certain people without necessarily wanting to keep them in my life. It's not a lack of affection, but a conscious choice: to preserve my serenity and energy.

I have always been a caring person, someone who listens, supports, and gives without expecting anything in return. But I also realized that too often, I put others before myself. Today, I choose myself. I invest my energy in my own growth, my inner peace, and my relationship with God.

Before, I struggled to let go, to accept that some things are beyond my control. Now, I move forward with faith and confidence. I have learned that every experience, good or bad, has a hidden meaning and teaches me something essential.

My mantra today is "everything happens for a reason." Each step brings me closer to the person I am meant to become.