Transform Girls' Education With Technical School

“Tutoring has solved a significant educational problem since I joined the program. I had difficulty in French, English, Mathematics, and Science. But, thanks to the Tutoring Program, I overcame my challenges. And, on a personal level, I became more open and paid more attention to my friend’s feelings. Also, the lesson I learned in the sexuality class will enable me to advise my friends and sisters on how to calculate periods. I credit the transformation to our tutors’ teaching standard and the values they shared with us: “respect for self and respect for others.” Dolvine - 8th grade

After sixteen years of devotion to Aumazo mission and vision, Dolvine’s valuable feedback represents the crowning distinction reserved for our supporters like you.

Fun Facts About Sweet 16

Yes, Aumazo turned sixteen on May 25, 2021. We discovered a few facts about the number 16 that rings truth with Aumazo, such as: 

1. 16 is an indication of wholeness: Aumazo’s work radiates completeness and value. Together, we succeeded in preserving the organization’s integrity for the last 16 years. We maintained our core value that is: “respect for self and others.”
2. November 16th is the International Day of Tolerance: our remarkable resilience allowed us to overcome the test of time. We tolerated adversity and survived the financial crisis of 2008 and the pandemic of 2020.
3. The 16th Amendment (1913) made it legal to obtain income tax in the United States. This reform allowed our supporters to make tax-deductible gifts to nonprofit organizations such as Aumazo. We overcame many challenges thanks to your tax-deductible contributions that sustained the organization during the thick and thin time. Your commitment played a significant role in making Aumazo viable. 

Your Donations Fueled Progress 

Over the years, we have used gifts from donors like you to build the library and lay the concrete foundations flooring for the boarding school. We have upgraded the kilometer-long track from the village to the school to provide year-round access for students and trucks hauling building materials to the construction site. We installed water pipes as part of a project to bring safe drinking water and sanitation to the school. We modified the current library building to provide temporary space for two classrooms and a workshop. Not too long ago, the Cameroon Ministry of Education issued official permission to open and operate the school legally. 

Our flagship tutoring program has been highly successful, and in September 2020, we expanded to two other villages near Bankondji. We have tutored 109 girls in the tutoring program, and 41 girls passed the mandatory high school exams and benefited from a scholarship program to attend a high school of their choice. At the same time, we are working on building the Aumazo boarding school. Despite the closure of schools in March-June of 2020, three girls obtained their high school diplomas.

Thank You for Your Continued Support

Nothing can stop us now, not after reflecting on the words of appreciation that Dolvine uttered. We also count Aumazo fortunate to have had your continued support all along. So, thank you for being among the people who strongly believe in our mission and stand firmly behind our cause.

 Sincere gratitude,

 Jacqueline Audige and the Board

2020 has been a challenging year for all of us due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and perseverance propelled us to 2021. Although the West region of Cameroon, where our tutoring program takes place, appears to have had fewer cases than the big cities, the dislocation accompanied by Covid-19 has been particularly severe for students, especially those in middle school.

Adapting to the Pandemic

All schools in Cameroon were closed on March 19, with only the classes preparing for the exams in late July opening up for a month in June. Aumazo partially compensated for the closures by expanding its tutoring program in Bankondji from three to five days a week starting in late March.

We all went through ups and downs. Despite the disruption, seven out of the eleven girls who took the high school entrance exam succeeded in passing the exam. Unluckily, Lydie was among the girls who weren’t successful in July. 

Lydie's Successful Turnaround

Recently she told us, “The pandemic puts a lot of strain on our budget, and we know that with you by our side, we will raise $5000 to support girls like Lydie, who recently told us, “When I failed the high school entrance exam last year, I believed that I was fragile and different from the others. Still, I ended up understanding that it was enough that I stay focused. And thanks to that awareness, I improved my math, French, English, and science classes. Since schools reopened last October 2020, the tutoring program has brought school success. I obtained the second-highest grade average in the entire class.” She continued, “Thank you, Aumazo and the supporters, for all that you have done for my peers and me. We promise you a 100 % success rate in the exam this academic year.”

Many Aumazo donors like you are ordinary people who do extraordinary things by joining forces with Aumazo. We know that you understand that Lydie’s perseverance illustrates the value our students place on your partnership. This awareness and clarity would never have occurred without your sharing the gift of education. 

Sharing A Gift of Education

The Girl Fund 50% Matching Campaign for every $50 individual donation runs during the whole week of International Women's Day from Monday, March 8 to Friday, March 12. What a beautiful week to continue to share your education gift with girls in our programs, such as Lydie.

 Thank you for believing in our work.

Abbe Fessenden, Board Chair