Empowering grandmothers for children's education

Grandmothers are essential to ensuring that girls go to school – and continue their studies.  While girls make up close to half of the student body in primary schools in Velingara, southern Senegal, few girls complete their secondary education.   We all know that education ensures a more equitable future for girls, but sometimes there isn’t the family or community support necessary to make sure that happens. 

Grandmother Leaders are a bridge between the community and the schools. They make sure that schools reflect the local community both through their presence and their collaboration with teachers.  Grandmothers educate other community members about the importance of girls completing secondary school and they work with parents to support their daughter’s education. Grandmothers do all of this because they are committed to improving the future for girls in Velingara. 

Thank you for helping grandmothers ensure that schools in Velingara are able to support all children – but especially girls.  Your support – particularly during this difficult period – makes all the difference. 

“Grandmothers teach us to appreciate studying. They say that they themselves didn’t have the chance to go to school and that we should make the most of the opportunity that we have to do so. They ask our parents to let us study and to not give us away in marriage at a very early age.”

Diénabou, adolescent girl

“Grandmothers travel to schools to tell stories to children. They talk with the teachers about girls’ education and encourage the young girls to persevere in their studies. When it comes to child marriage, grandmothers ask parents to let their daughter continue her studies. When it comes to the matter of teenage pregnancies, grandmothers request that young girls not visit boys. Before, grandmothers told us that they were neither our mothers nor our fathers. They left us to our own devices. Now, however, they no longer feel discouraged, they give us advice, and they are much closer to young people.”

Fatoumata, adolescent girl

School has returned to Velingara and children aren’t the only ones in the classroom.  Grandmothers provide an important part of children’s schooling and connect them to their history, traditions and culture.  When grandmothers are involved in the education of children, they have the ability to support children to stay in school – particularly girls. 

Frequently, parents do not support girls to continue their schooling.  Parents often see schooling as dangerous; an activity that does not reflect their culture or traditions that could also lead to teen pregnancy.  With the help of grandmothers in schools, girls are supported in their education and parents feel comfortable in sending their girls to school, knowing that grandmothers are there to look out for their daughters’ well-being. 

Grandmothers know that girls must finish their schooling in order to be part of the future. As one grandmother noted: “We must let the girls continue their studies. This is very important because today a girl can become a minister; she will help you and she will benefit as well.”

Thanks to your support grandmothers have been able to continue their work in the schools, ensuring that girls are able to continue their education and reach their dreams.  Join us this International Women’s Day in celebrating the powerful work of the grandmothers.