Empower girls in Niger for change via education

“Healthy, Happy, and Hopeful “ are three powerful words that express challenging concepts, especially during one of the most unique moments in world’s history, the Covid-19 era, and especially for young women in Niger. The coronavirus pandemic has laid bare the deep inequalities in societies; young girls are missing out on basic healthcare, cut off from education, and left without protection.

HEALTHY

We are proud to report that thanks to your encouraging donations to our non-profit “Les Amis de Hampaté Bâ”,  and to our girl empowerment projects, many of our underprivileged scholarship girls have been attracted to working in the field of medical studies and specialized health care and have made good use of the opportunities we have offered them.

The conditions are incredibly difficult, but this is where we see the power of girls. Times are tough and yet,  when girls are valued and educated they become women who are healthier, have fewer children, earn more, stand up for their rights and educate their sons and daughters equally. Families thrive. Communities, nations and the world are healthier, safer, and more prosperous. It’s definitely the best investment we can make.

Mariama and 3 of her friends all graduated in 2018 from Hampaté Bâ Middle School with BEPC diplomas and afterwards chose to follow a 3 year cycle  in a renowned health institute in Niamey to get an ASB diploma to become Health Assistants. They are all passionate about health and caring for populations in need. Their studies have provided them with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience through two internships in hospitals in Niamey.  They have succeeded brilliantly so far in their studies. But now the big adventure begins ! This month they will be leaving Niamey to travel 100 kilometers and stay for 2 months in removed villages to provide healthcare to precarious populations. How courageous is that !

As for Affisatou, she succeeded in getting her Scientific Baccalaureate in 2019 from Hampaté Bâ High School and applied for one of the top ranked Medical Schools in Niamey. Not only that, but on the entrance exam, she was # 1 of all the students who applied! In her second year of studies, she is now assisting with childbirth in clinics, and loving every minute of it. School hours are more than 8 hours daily and internships are very demanding. But Affisatou is sure of what she wants, and thanks to our support, she is able to pursue her dream to become a gynecologist. So far, her grade average of 18/20 would tend to make us believe that her dream will come true.

Affisatou says with pride :“Thank you for your help and your support.

As long as the blood runs in my veins, I’ll keep on making my best efforts. This has been my passion since my childhood.”

Saratou is another rising young girl, who has received a scholarship from us for the last 7 years. She was the most promising scientific major at Hampaté Bâ High School and passed her Baccalaureat with flying colors in 2020. Her choice is to get her 3 year degree to become a nurse in yet another excellent Health Institute, and she has very specific reasons for doing so. Having been raised in an impoverished family, she wants to help other underprivileged women to be cared for, since she knows how incredibly difficult it is for girls and women in Niger to be recognized for their merit and to succeed. When we asked her why she chose to follow medical studies instead of accounting, she replied:

“It’s because I thought about my future and realized that I liked the idea of Health related studies over and above all others. The reason is that I really want to help people, especially women in Niger, since those who weren’t able to go to school, suffer so much in this country. So I wanted more than anything to help other women in Niger to have good health and a better life.”

HAPPY 

Just look at the smiles on the girls’ faces and you can tell they are happy. They are blossoming in spite of all the challenges, thanks to your support. What makes them happy ? Receiving a quality education, books, good food, tutoring, specialized training, and ultimately getting diplomas leading to decent jobs. 

HOPEFUL

It isn’t easy to be hopeful in Niger. Out of 189 countries in the United Nations, Niger has ranked the lowest on the Human Development Report, due to drastically underdeveloped health and education facilities.

But there is hope for our scholarship girls thanks to your continued support. Their lives have been greatly affected by the power of education. They have been inspired to create a different future. Through their hard work, determination and courage, they are able to succeed, become autonomous and therefore break the poverty cycle.  

It is a truly rewarding experience to work closely with these girls who are creating change and are the fearless leaders of tomorrow. 

Together we can make a difference in their lives !

Let’s do it !