Help 80 Secondary Pupils in Niger Read and Write

Diplomas Galore in 2021 !

We are bursting with pride to give you the extraordinary 2021 Exam Results concerning our underprivileged students to whom we have attributed scholarships and who have successfully graduated from Hampaté Bâ High School this year ! Results even more admirable, knowing that these students come from very poor backgrounds and often have parents who are illiterate.  How amazing is that?

Breaking News: BACCALAUREAT 2021 Diploma Results

75% of our scholarship students at Hampaté Bâ succeeded the Bac exam

As compared to :

23% : National success rate in Niger at Bac this year 

Now Heading to which schools for what career ?

• Some of our girls who succeeded the Scientific Bac are currently passing entrance tests to get into prominent Health Institutes to become gynecologists
• Another is entering a Technological School to train to become a computer scientist
• And yet another from the Literary Bac is entering a law institute  and would like to practice international law
• Still others are entering schools of commerce with hopes of eventually finding employment in secteurs such as, human resources, administration,  accounting, communication in enterprises.

 More Breaking News :  BACHELOR Degrees 2021

We now backtrack to Hampaté Bâ’s first High School Graduates 3 years ago who succeeded the BAC in 2018 (44% success rate at BAC for scholarship students).

Those particular students have now succeeded in getting their bachelor’s degree this year in 2021 !  An amazing feat!

Yet another step forward for these courageous students.

Bachelor Degrees in What areas?

Bachelor’s Degrees in Taxation, Business Administration, Humanitarian Law, Communication, Accounting. How’s that? 

Diplomas Galore and More : An Alumni Community that sticks together

Getting diplomas is wonderful but is only part of the whole success story.  What is also important is to have human values, to do your work from your heart, to be a positive leader and to be invested in helping your community, to be ethical and to be respectful to others. These 2018 Hampaté Bâ graduates are still very much glued together with common values. In fact, each one came to a very special event of the others: the Presentation of their thesis to a jury to qualify for their Bachelor’s Degree. No jealousy among them. They are only too happy to see each other succeed, as witnessed by the cheers of joy and loud applauding. How touching is that !

Tutoring: Behind the Scenes of getting Diplomas

So how did these underprivileged students who were struggling with being able to read and write upon entering Hampaté Ba School in 6th grade, get up to level and finally receive prestigious diplomas? Remediation is the answer. We wanted to improve the weaknesses of these less fortunate students and give them equal opportunities, which was impossible without offering them tutoring sessions. Tutoring is actually an age-old practice, but we upgraded the classical approach of just providing a structure for learning.. Our tutoring sessions were meant not only to give instruction and to raise the level of weak students in small groups after school, but also to give them confidence in themselves and provide them with compassionate and empathetic tutors. This was a way to re-enforce their knowledge and ended up being a rewarding experience for both the students and the tutors. Our purpose was to help students to help themselves and become independent learners.  And they still are, so much so that many have now achieved getting  Bachelor’s Degrees. Mission accomplished!  Hats off to the students for their continued efforts, to the tutors, and to you for your unwavering support !

Students with Dreams and Determination

Djamila is joyous to have received her Bac on the first try! “I am so happy that I am without words. I have been waiting for this day for so long and cannot believe that I will be entering the Law Department in the school of my dreams.. I can only thank with all my heart all those who have contributed to my success by financing my scholarship and tutoring. sessions. Lots of hard work ahead, but I am ready for it!”

Roumatou speaks with passion: “I was good at Math & Physics, but decided I wanted to help my community and assist other women, so I put all my energies into Biology studies to be admitted to the best Medical State School and specialise in Gynecology. I was scared  of not getting my Bac because I had problems with my eyes just before the exam, but I persevered and got the best grade in the” Scientific Bac” of students in my class. So proud !” 

Sidi sighed : “I worked so hard on my Thesis to be able to get my Bachelor’s in Accounting. As a surprise, all my old friends of Hampaté Bâ came to my Presentation to the jury and that gave me courage and I got a good mark. I am so grateful for the encouragement of my friends. I even wore a tie.”

Atika is ecstatic : “My first dream was to become a doctor, but I realised it would take too many years. So when I got my Bac, I decided to go to a financial institute and became enthusiastic about the subject of taxation. I was always top of my class for the last 3 years, and when I presented my thesis to the jury to get my Bachelor’s degree, I had tears in my eyes when they announced the grade of 16/20 : such an excellent result. I am so grateful to everyone who supported me through the years at Hampaté Bâ allowing me to succeed 3 years of higher studies and get my Bachelors. I am guaranteed  to have a well-paid job next year.I’ll never forget your kindness and support.” 

We need your constant support to continue making a difference in students’ lives by offering the gift of an education

Help us keep students in school every year. Sponsoring scholarships and tutoring is so important for them to have a quality education. Help make the change. Please contribute to a very worthy cause. Thank you.

We thought you might be interested in a quick review of what’s happening currently in Niger as well as a brief update of where we stand concerning the objectives our Association had set in 2009 to help our underprivileged scholarship recipients make progress and thrive.  What started out 12 years ago as a program to give them a quality education, reduce drop-out rates, and specifically improve reading and writing deficiencies, has grown and evolved into a very encompassing project with amazing long-term results. 

One of our cherished programs “Food for Thought” for our scholarship recipients at Hampaté Bâ School, was put in place with the following objective, which basically sums up in a nutshell our Association’s overall objectives:

“That the “Food for Thought Program would help provide our underprivileged students not able to finance food, with good, healthy meals, more energy and nourishment for both body and mind, and in the long run, give these underprivileged students equal opportunities to help boost academic results, to reach their potential and to be able to complete their schooling and break the poverty cycle.”

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ?

Were those good meals responsible for the resilience and energy visibly fostered over the years by these students coming from low economic backgrounds? Most likely, the meals did help, as who can study on an empty stomach?  But little did we suspect that these underprivileged students would indeed beat all the odds, resist many major challenges, et soar to unexpected heights academically and personally, with eagerness, motivation and ambition! 

2019- 2021 : VERY CHALLENGING YEARS IN NIGER`

These are conditions the students had to deal with in 2019-2020: COVID-19 hit Niger and closed schools 20thMarch to June 1st, 2020

• Niger continued with the regular Bac exam postponed until August 2020
• Massive dust storms passed through in May 2020
• End of August 2020 there was record-level flooding that hit Niamey (868 houses destroyed, including the house of one of our scholarship girls) With the rise in water comes a rise in malaria.

And it continues in 2021 …..

• Contested elections in February 2021 closed down the schools and cities for about 2 weeks due to protests

    (The government even shut down Internet to stop information being shared especially by those protesting the elitist win)

Imagine how you might deal with any of the 2019-2021 Events when you live in a thatched roof abode or live amid a pile of bricks with no electricity ?`

AND YET … THE RESULTS FROM 2020 - 2021 CONTINUE TO BE AS GOOD AS, OR BETTER

To cite a few examples of striking outcomes :

HABIBA :HER DREAM BRINGS HER BACK TO THE BEGINNING.

Everyone is not a scholar !  Successful outcomes are not always predictable. Habiba is an example of a disappointment transformed into a success story. In 2015 she succeeded her BEPC and decided to continue on to high school, but failed the Bac in 2018 and 2019. At that point, she realized she wasn’t made for academic studies, but had a real passion for sports and repetitively won sports’ competitions. She therefore courageously decided to follow her dream of making sports activities her priority. 

Habiba entered INJS with flying colors :( Institut National de la Jeunesse et du Sport) and was easily accepted to pursue a diploma that will allow her to teach Sports and also continue to compete in outside sports activities. 

Fast forward to 2021, you will see in the accompanying photos,  Habiba completing an internship for her program, teaching Sports Class to boy students at Hampaté Bâ !  Here are her own words:

“ I have had many emotions in my life, but this is the biggest emotion I have ever felt : To be able to come back and do my internship in Hampaté Ba School, where I studied from the 6th grade through my Senior Year in High School ! My deep thanks to the Association “Les Amis de Hampate Ba” for having believed in me and given me a chance to study at Hampaté Ba Middle School and High School and afterwards, to have let me continue to pursue my dream at INJS.” Habiba even asked to meet the current scholarship students at Hampaté Bâ to share with them how moved she was to come back to Hampaté Bâ for her internship.

To witness the success of our Scholarship Students, in whatever domaine they choose, makes our support even more valuable.

SAADIA :BEST OF THE BEST NOW DELIVERING BABIES 

Contrary to Habiba, Saadia was always academically inclined and top of her class at Hampaté Bâ.  In 2019, this scholarship recipient succeeded the Scientific Bac which is very rare for girls and women in Niger. She then came in #1 out of 41 candidates for the post-Bac entrance exam to enter the highly acclaimed ENSP -National School of Public Health. Quite a feat !  She received a well-deserved full State Scholarship, although due to the total lack of financial support possible from her parents, our Association is backing her transport costs and food, as this top-rated School is very far from where she lives. Saadia is also doing an internship in 2021 in a local hospital, delivering babies and providing mental health services to women. Her reaction is expressed in this message: “Thank you to the Amis de Hampaté Ba, for all your aid and encouragement over the years. As long as blood will flow in my vains, I will continue my efforts. This is my passion, my every dream since I was a child.” Saadia would like to complete her 3 year diploma to be a mid-wife and continue on to get her master degree to specialized in gynecology !  She is certainly not lacking courage!

SIDI : THE DESIRE TO STUDY LAW AND ONLY THE LAW

After getting his BAC in 2019, Sidi was stubborn and decided to try the very competitive exam to get into the highly revered HECF University, allowing him to specialize in Law studies. He not only succeeded in being admitted, but he also won a small scholarship. His fervent desire is to become a judge. His first semester Report Card shows that he is motivated and kicking off his studies in style. He received 15 out of 20 as a grade and a comment of “Good” and “serious student”.  He expresses his gratitude “Thank you to the members of the Association for giving me the chance of a lifetime to go to college and the chance to hopefully practice law“.

THIRD YEAR POST-BEPC MEANS INTERNSHIP

After getting their BEPC diploma from Hampaté Bâ in 2018, 7 girl students preferred to do health assistant studies at ISPH, a Health Institute, rather than to continue  on to High School, as they preferred to have practical experience rather than continue in an academic track only.  After 3 years, each one of these girls is now completing her Health School internship. They are each working in different small, remote villages as “social health workers” for 2 full months. This is a very gruelling experience and a challenge for sure. We asked them to fill out a questionnaire upon their return, and each one replied that they were more enthused than ever after this experience !. They will all pass a State exam in September and if they succeed, they may continue to nursing school in hopes of obtaining a certificate to become a nurse . This is their dream.  They are very grateful for everything they have learned so far and are enthusiastic for their next adventure ! These girls are particularly caring of others and joyful, despite their poor backgrounds. They are focused on serving their community despite the challenges which are omni-present.

Which proves that when there is a will, THERE IS A WAY

Here are some figures to prove that.

• 100% of the scholarship students in Hampaté Bà Middle and High School are predicted to move up a level according to 2nd semester results 2021, and several are top of their class:

o  A boy scholarship student got the highest grade in Scientific Major at his level (Junior Year of High School)

 o 4 girls in Middle School got 17/20 in Math (among the top grades at their level) 

• 80% of the scholarship girls at HB who succeeded their BEPC 2020 (Brevet) decided to pursue professional BAC studies to get jobs sooner to help their families and give back to the community (Healthcare, computer management or accounting degrees after 3 years of study, so far with remarkable results)

 o One girl who chose to specialise in accounting at a business school after her BEPC, received “Congratulations from the Jury” in her first semester and is bound to have a promising future.

• 77% of the scholarship girls in their senior year of HB high school, are predicted to succeed their Baccalaureat 2021 based on mock exams (National average was only 35% for girls in 2020)

 o 2 girls received the most points in Literary Bac category at HB

 o 1 girl received the most points in Scientific Bac track at HB 

The Bac will take place on July 27th this year, so we wish them all the success possible !

o BAC IN HAND, BTS BOUND !

• 100% of Hampaté Bâ graduate students pursuing Post Bac university studies or vocational training in professional institutes have continued relentlessly their 2 or 3 year cycle and have maintained surprisingly high levels of accomplishment.

o 2 girls have already obtained their BTS in statistiques (advanced vocational training certificate) at a high level institute after 2 years and will obtain professional degrees in September

o 3 girls have completed 3 years at an international business school and will obtain a professional degree in entreprenariat in September

o 7 girls started at ESCAE this year, a well-known business school to study accounting, management and human resources and after 1st semester results, have successfully passed to next level 

A BIG THANK YOU AND LET’S CONTINUE ! 

We can surmise, judging from the incredible and positive results of each student, at all levels, that  the “read and write” remediation program was definitely worth it and has opened many doors and led to many great adventures, They couldn’t have done it without you. We thank you for making a big difference in these needy students’ lives.  Through your donations, you have given them.confidence in themselves and equal opportunities to education and employment that will allow them to give back to their communities and have a brighter future. We welcome any and all donations to keep offering educational opportunities and well being to the students we are sponsoring in Niger. Thank you.

This year our Association’s goals are basically the same as for the last 12 years :  

Supporting underprivileged children in Niger to go to school and gain key skills to succeed in life.

So what about the new Year ?

As time goes by, our projects remain stable, but the outcome of repeatedly improving the quality of education for our students at Hampaté Bâ School is becoming more evident each year. Those “children” who had reading and writing deficiencies in 6th grade  have now grown up and are successfully completing their secondary school education. Moreover, with this new year, we see that many of those who succeeded their Baccalaureate in prior years, are now attending Higher Education Universities and Professional Institutes. (Business Schools, Accounting and Financial Schools, Health Institutes, Technology Institutes, etc.)They are now the role models for our students presenting their Bac this new year. 

What is the new Dawn ?

Improved learning conditions, textbooks, and tutoring at Hampaté Bâ School have drastically reduced the drop-out rates and have given amazing results. 

Students who were struggling before, especially girls, have been turned into confident above average achievers!  They have not only been brought up to level, but they are surpassing all expectations and are among the highest achievers in their class. In fact, inspired by tutoring classes, many of our girls are excelling in scientific studies and dreaming of brilliant careers. 

International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Each year on February 11th, the United Nations marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It’s a chance to reflect on how the situation has improved for women working in the fields of science.

Here are what some of our girl students presenting the Scientific Bac 2020 have to say :

Nafissa comments: “I love studies in physics and chemistry and everyone thinks it is strange for a girl to be interested in these subjects, but I am so Impassioned by these subject matters and definitely aim to have a job in technology or engineering.”

Saratou is keen on math. “My absolute passion is maths. What I really want to explore is the field of biomathematics and I am ready to  participate in as many local and international conferences as possible that are relevant to my field of study. I want to learn about opportunities for research grants and am excited to meet the challenge.”

Aminatou wants to help in medical research for Covid 19. “I think the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring girls in science. I really want to be participate in leading actions for innovation in this domain.”  

Dear Friends and Donors,

We are happy to announce to you that every single one of our students at Hampaté Bâ Secondary School is happy and healthy and back in school as of June 1^st, this time with masks on !  So this is fantastic and reassuring news!

The challenges have been great, and still continue to be consequential, but the students are very resilient and determined to succeed in spite of the numerous challenges.

CHALLENGE # 1 : NO REVISIONS OR REMOTE LEARNING DURING LOCKDOWN

Schools at all levels in Niger closed on March 20th and remained closed up until June 1st. During this period of almost 2 ½ months, the students benefitted from NO remote learning nor tutoring, so that virtually meant a

2 ½ month period where no classes were given and no academic re-enforcement took place. To correct this situation, the government intended to put in place a remote learning program by WhatsApp, but were not able to achieve that objective finally with their professors. Moreover, even if they had succeeded in implementing that program, a majority of the students in Niger do not have mobile phones or enough money to purchase minutes in order to follow classes on-line. Not to mention the disadvantage for some of our scholarship students, who are terribly underprivileged and do not even have electricity. So mission impossible.

CHALLENGE #2 : ONLY 1 ½ MONTHS TO CATCH UP ON 2 ½ MONTHS ABSENCE

As the Minister of Education in Niger concluded , in agreement with the Council of Ministers,  that they didn’t want to lose an academic year, they took the decision to continue secondary school classes between June 1st and July 15th. And yet only 50% of the program had been completed before shut-down on March 20th. This means the students have to catch up and complete the total program, therefore having the last 50% of the program to finish in only 45 days with extended time in the afternoon.  A big challenge for sure !  

CHALLENGE # 3 : SOCIAL DISTANCING AND HYGIENE DURING LOCKDOWN 

Of course in Niger, just like in most countries in the world, the golden rules during the coronavirus crisis included social distancing, hand washing, and wearing masks. The problem being that social distancing in Niger is very difficult to carry out. Large families living in small spaces cannot social distance. Not to mention the impossibility of carrying out certain sanitary rules and basic hygiene, when they eat in the same plates and drink out of the same cups. Niger’s traditions for marriages and baptisms and grouping together make matters even worse. In spite of these difficulties and rules not always respected, Niger’s figures were not catastrophic, and perhaps all the cases were not reported.  The official figures as of June 10th are :  974 positive cases and 65 deaths.

CHALLENGE # 4 : THE HOTTEST, WETTEST & SANDIEST MONTHS OF THE YEAR

In any tourist brochure for Niger, you will see that it is highly advised NOT to go to Niger from March through May because of the high temperatures. This is the hot season which is sweltering  and temperatures can easily exceed 40 degrees centigrade. Sandstorms do occur and this year they have been especially numerous and colorful, as is seen in our photos. From June through September, it is the rainy season, making the air heavy and humid. which isn’t any easier. It is hot, oppressive and mostly cloudy. So to go to school, when the weather is so hot that you can’t think (especially without air conditioning) or when the rain is so abundant that water floods the roads, is not exactly easy and definitely affects one’s energy and motivation, making studying a grueling task. Instead of ending school beginning June with exams in June/July, students must now brave Niger’s worst seasons, with school ending mid-July and exams in mid August.. 

RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION WITH A SMILE

In spite of having only a few months ahead of them to revise and to successfully complete the unfinished program during the worst seasons of the year, the Hampaté Bâ students have decided to make the most of the situation and work with devotion and determination. They have reasoned that they have no choice, and since they want to succeed their BEPC and BAC exams, they have been making the most of their time. The Exam classes are 9th grade students in Middle school and 12th grade students in High School. Each morning they attend their regular classes in all subjects. In the afternoon they have supplementary classes to catch them up on the last 50% of the program that they haven’t learned yet in the most essential subjects. In addition, our Association is working with those low-income students who are struggling the most, and giving them very necessary coaching in smaller groups. This makes for a day from 8 am right through to 6 pm and after that they have a nice walk home , ranging between ½ hr and 1 hour. And this is done with no complaints. Only with a smile and with gratitude. Because in Niger, education is such a gift, that it is prized by students whose families could not afford to put their children in school. These students actually WANT to have an education and they treasure the opportunity we are giving them to follow studies that could lead them to professional training or to higher studies. 

A SURGE OF ENERGY AND CLEVER IDEAS

The students have actually approached all the challenges of COVID19 with a positive attitude and clever ideas. Some have turned to the computer resources at the Hampaté Bâ School to improve their reading and writing capacities. Others have used the computers to improve their mathematical skills and more sophisticated programming tools. Still others have invented machines to distribute soap so as to put hygiene habits into practice daily. So the crisis has instigated new ideas and a flow of energy to move forward and be innovative with original new ways of doing things. Bravo to these brave students !

THERE IS HOPE, WITH YOUR HELP 

We wish all these students luck in facing a very difficult challenge  during these terrible times and are behind them to support their great efforts and to encourage them. We are very thankful for any and all donations you can contribute to help students succeed, reach their potential, and break the poverty cycle.  They need you to help them out, by supporting a student scholarship, teacher training, or specialized tutoring, to give the most disadvantaged, struggling students a better chance. 

Our students have not given up. They are still hopeful. With your donations, we can make their hope become a reality and their dreams come true. Thank you.