Educate and Energize Girls in Guinea, West Africa

We are very excited about the progress of the school program.  Yes, there have been delays due to internal governmental changes resulting in new leadership.  The new regime is appearing to support education of girls but have not made any significant changes to date. Two of our girls graduated in 2021 but did not past the university test for enrollment.  They are studying to re-take the university test.  They both are pursuing careers in medicine.  We are still awaiting the details due to the cost associated with these new expenses.  We are more than happy to adjust our budget for future graduates. 

The young woman I would like you to meet is Blandine.  According to our partner and Leader this has been one of the most complicated cases they have had in a while.  Her family situation is dire but she must be able to go to her village, which is quite a distance from the city to see her family, especially her older sister who as a result of the violence she suffered, has been paralyzed for almost 15 years.  We know partially that she was the victim of rape, forced marriage and female genital mutilation. Blandine’s father died shortly after Blandine’s birth leaving the family without protection and very poor. However, overall, Blandine is making extraordinary progress, she is doing extremely well in her nursing classes.  She is tenth in the region, well above most of her classmates.  Her great initiatives pushes the team to tackle her social and family problems which could, if not solved in time become obstacles to her success.

Our Blandine is a 20-year-old single mom who has a great chance of changing her life, her child’s life, and her family’s life.  Becoming a nurse will provide the income, dignity and hope that this family so desperately needs.  That’s why we do what we do.  The pictures may not be pleasant, but this is the reality for some of our girls.

Please note, the school year 2022-2023 began October 4, 2022, with 18 girls in school: 1 in kindergarten, 4 in Primary grades, 5 in Secondary grades, 7 in High School and 1 in college (our shining star Blandine.   We are so appreciative of our partners who make this possible, thank you seems small compared to the results we see in the lives of these beautiful children.  You do make a difference and we want you to know how your support encourages us as well.

Meet Blandine, her child and her sister.

The School year in Guinea began October 4, 2022 and nobody was happier than Therese.  This beautiful young woman is in the 13th grade, was recently moved to an Aunt's home so she couold attend school and continues  to completes many chores before and after school.  She was raised by  a single mother who is uneducatedd and was only able to feed her children by selling leves at market.  Therese was left to care for her younger siblings and was not able to attend school on a regulsr basis.

With an uncertain future Therese had few options.  Our project leader in Guinea was made aware of her plight and what followed was truly a miracle for this young woman.  After meeting with the mother, the organization helped the mother improve her overall situation which gave her the resources she needed to care for herself and her children.  To help Therese focus on school, the organization moved her with an aunt closer to school.  Now she is in the 13th grade because she is 20 years old, school fees and all other expenses are paid.  

This bright optimistic hard working young woman now has a opprtunity for a better life for herself and her family.  She is determined to remain in school until she achieves her goal of graduation.  You our donors help to place that beutiful smile on her face and inspire hope for the future not only for her but her youngr siblings as well.  That is why Therese is Always Smiling!

We hope you will read all the stories about these amazing children.  There are 18 children enrolled in this school year from kindergarden to the 13th grade.  The former minister of education added grade 13 to acomondate girls like Therese who are older but wish to finish school and go either to college or a trade school.  We salute the tenacity of these young women who refuse to give up.  On behalf of the team in Guinea, the girls who benfit from this program and their families, Thank You!