Send 40 Girls in Niger to Secondary School

I'm happy to report that the school year has started in Niger!  Thanks to you, all of the girls and young women in the Remember Niger Coalition Scholarship Program received their uniforms, books and school supplies and are attending classes.  This includes the nine scholarship recipients at the newly constructed Zinder High School, who are in the photo above. Mariam, pictured in the green patterned outfit in the middle of the girls, has been in our program since 7th grade.  At that time, she wrote the following letter:

Dear Sponsor,

             I am writing this little letter to greet you and thank you for the support I receive from you for my studies. I am 12 years old and I am today in grade 7 of the middle school. I am the eldest of my family and I have 5 brothers and sisters. I am very happy to be in school because we have to have girls succeed in school. So your support is very important to me.

            I love my parents a lot. And I help them in their work at home. At school I am very happy with my class friends. I love to study and succeed in life and later I would be a pride for my country.

           In Niger, it is very hot up to 45 °Celsius (113 °Fahrenheit). There is not much rain during the winter season. We have only 3 months of rain per year and 9 months of drought.

          Thanks again and thank you,

         Mariam

Mariam is now in the 11th grade and is making great progress in her studies! Because of your generosity, Mariam and the other girls in the program will be able to continue their education through secondary school and beyond.  That's a very big deal in a country where only 5% of students go on to high school.

I cannot thank you enough for your support.  We greatly appreciate your partnership.

Sincerely,

Kara VanderKamp