Empower girls in Niger for change via education

Our Girl Empowerment Program at Hampaté Bâ School in Niger is full of challenges, but also full of rewards! To tackle some of the insurmountable problems we have had in helping our girl students reach their potential, we have turned to ART!!!

We have been confronted constantly with obstacles as we have tried to set up various programs that would help the girls become autonomous. One of our biggest problems is that girls in Niger face a huge number of life challenges everyday, which reduce their ability to achieve their full potential. So no matter how hard we try to find solutions, the overall rate of progress for girls, particularly those from the poorest backgrounds, is always very slow.

We firmly believe that a young woman with a mind full of knowledge and a deep self respect, is better equipped to face those challenges by speaking her mind clearly and by knowing she is worthy of going after her dreams.

After many trials and errors, we finally decided to turn to the arts, to see if creativity could help address this issue by unleashing the productive, intellectual, artistic and social power of the girl students.

And Bingo ! Much to our surprise, as well as to the surprise of the teachers and the students themselves, a new art class that started last spring semester, became an inspiring and stimulating experience for the girls ! And not only that, but the girls were able to see for themselves what they were able to accomplish, and became proud of their new-found skills and unleashed creativity as well as feeling proud of themselves as women and as individuals.

And the rate of progress was no longer slow, but rather progressively rapid!

With the help of their new art teacher, the girls embarked on a journey of self-discovery by exploring their own artistic preferences and studying art form and structure through a progressive set of activities. A whole new world opened up before them and what an adventure it was.

Their final project consisted of a composition of their own art pieces which you can see in the photos. The students discovered the emotion and freedom of self-expression by developing their own artistic style. As a matter of fact, they appreciated this project so much that they would refuse to leave the classroom even when the bell rang and it was time to go! And of course, it was the talk of the school, since the students had never been known to want to stay longer than a class lasted.

"In my other classes, I want the bell to ring ! But not in this one!” admitted Farida very enthusiastically.

The Art professor was caught in the fervor of the students and set up a very challenging and structured program, thinking it was a bit over their level. But it turns out that he was wrong!

The very serious art program set up by the art professor, consisted of not only carrying out practical art tasks, but was also an occasion to learn about art history and culture, This two-fold program was very seriously followed by the girls who were excited to both learn about other’s artworks, as well as be able to apply this new knowledge to artworks of their own.

So all of a sudden, the girls found themselves in the process of constructing two- dimensional and three-dimensional objects. How astonishing is that ?

As expressed by Hassana with a big, huge smile on her face,

"I like this class very much. I feel free. I feel good about myself and I learn a lot as well."

Roukiya was intrigued to learn about Middle Age Castles in Europe, but was also very proud when she actually made a maquette of a castle with other students in the class. Very exciting for a girl who has never seen another country or another city. Showing her maquette and beaming with pride and joy, she well summed up her feelings :

"My mother is illiterate and provides for a family of seven. Life at home is not easy, so school and this program have become my outlet. Outside, I feel harassed—for being poor and even just for being a girl. Here, I'm happy, very happy.”

Mission accomplished for now. What more can we ask ?

It would be wonderful if we could continue this program again next year.

Please help us to continue supporting the art teacher and art supplies for these girls. Your donations really make a big difference and give these girls hope for a better future.

Thank you so much for making a difference in their lives.