Give the gift of education to transform lives

Millions of women and girls do not have access to quality education. Due to both poverty and gender discrimination, 65 million girls and young women are kept out of the classroom, and millions more are in school but barely learning. Those who do go to school often find that their job options are no different than if they had never studied. They don't have the soft skills, confidence, or opportunities to gain good work and lift themselves, and their families, out of poverty.

With an education, women like Ganiyat, a 23-year-old hospitality student at Wavecrest College of Hospitality in Nigeria, gains both personal and financial agency.  Since starting her studies, her sense of self and and her direction in life has changed dramatically thanks to gaining knowledge and skills to access better opportunities, including the chance to earn a greater, more secure income, reducing her risk of exploitation.

“My dreams have changed since I entered Wavecrest by acknowledging who I am, and what I can do with my hands as a person.”

Hospitality seemed like a natural career choice for Ganiyat, who describes herself as very caring:

 “I love catering for people. Initially, I aimed to become a nurse, taking care of patients, I just wanted to take care of people’s health. But I discovered that Hospitality is very much similar to that. Now I can take care of people giving them good nutritious food”, she told us.

She takes pride in her studies and her newly learned skills and takes every opportunity to share them with those around her:

 “My studies have enabled me to inspire two of my friends in higher institutions to want to learn about hospitality as a career and also want to come to Wavecrest. I taught them how to make intercontinental dishes. I have also been involved in service projects by doing volunteer work at Wavecrest club for secondary school girls, teaching the young girls in the club how to make doughnuts and other pastries.”

 As a result, not only does the well-being of women like Ganiyat improve, but that of her family. As more women receive an education, their community will become healthier, happier, more gender-equal and less impoverished.

Ganiyat, and other young women who would otherwise be excluded from a Wavecrest education due to financial means, are receiving scholarships to continue their studies.

“I would say a big thank you to the people who are offering me the scholarship, I will never forget them as they will be part of my life story and I will always pray for them wholeheartedly.”

With your support, WONDER Foundation can keep young women like Ganiyat in education and change their lives for good!