Help 80 Secondary Pupils in Niger Read and Write

On the bright days of January 29th, 30th, and 31st, 2014, the eager students from the 4th, 5th, and 6th grades at Hampaté Bâ Middle School embarked on an eye-opening journey to the BouBou Hama Museum nestled in the vibrant heart of Niamey. This was no ordinary field trip excursion for these young minds. It was an extraordinary adventure that brought the pages of their textbooks to life as they explored the zoo within the museum. Imagine the excitement as students came face-to-face with majestic lions just steps from the zoo’s entrance—what a thrilling start to their expedition!

As these young explorers navigated through the zoo, they encountered an array of fascinating creatures: hippopotamuses, zebras, gorillas, crocodiles, monkeys, and turtles, each with stories told by an expert guide. This guide illuminated the origins of each animal, their diets, reproductive habits, and growth patterns. It was a veritable feast of knowledge, feeding the students' minds with facts and figures that made each animal more than just a spectacle; they became stories, each with its own narrative arc.

The middle of the day was a delightful interlude where students relaxed under the shade of trees, enjoying picnics packed with love by their parents. They shared laughter, danced to the rhythm of nature, and captured moments with their cameras, creating memories that would last a lifetime.

As the visit wound down, the students' curiosity led them to the local artists in the village, who were crafting traditional artisanal objects. This not only showcased the rich cultural tapestry of their community but also highlighted the connection between human creativity and nature’s inspirations.

Now, let's delve into the pedagogical benefits of such cultural outings. These experiences are pivotal as they ignite intellectual curiosity among children and enhance their ability to marvel at the world around them. By placing students in direct contact with real-world scenarios, we open the door to boundless creativity and learning that sticks.

So, why do we venture out on educational outings? The answer lies in the immersive experience these trips offer, bridging the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. For instance, observing animals in a zoo context helps students grasp complex concepts about habitats, adaptations, and conservation efforts more effectively than any textbook could.

Student reactions were profoundly telling of the impact of this visit. Many were thrilled to see animals previously only witnessed on screens or in print, like the imposing lions and elusive jackals. However, it was a bittersweet joy as they also noticed the cramped conditions faced by these carnivorous inhabitants. In contrast, the playful antics of monkeys and gorillas brought smiles and laughter, highlighting the diverse emotional engagements such trips provoke.

We are hopeful that this educational outing has planted seeds of reflection in our students, encouraging them to think critically about the living conditions of zoo animals and the broader implications for wildlife conservation.

In closing, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all supporters of Hampaté Bâ School. Your dedication enables us to provide these young minds with opportunities to see and engage with the world beyond the classroom walls, fostering a generation that is not only well-informed but also deeply compassionate.

Reading and Writing Skills count, but not only . . . ! 

The Hampaté Bà School in Niamey has worked over the years on meeting the challenge to improve the quality of education to underprivileged students entering Middle School and thus to reduce the dropout rate. Happily, the tutoring program of our non-profit has been largely successful in helping to achieve these aims.
Although learning such basic skills as reading, writing, and arithmetics through remediation classes is certainly important, the school’s vision is also based on the guiding principles of human dignity and respect for others. Spreading a culture of tolerance and inclusivity is also important and very much in line with the philosophy of the school’s namesake, Amadou Hampaté Bâ, the well-known writer, historian, ethnographer, poet and story teller.

Unity in Diversity

A vivid image In Amadou Hampaté Bâ’s own words

“Much as a carpet’s beauty depends on the variety of its colours, the diversity of humans, cultures and civilisations makes the world beautiful and rich.”

The Hampaté Bâ School teaches students cardinal virtues such as open-mindedness, patience, tolerance and humility. Instead of our differences separating us from others, they will become sources of complementarity and mutual enrichment.

Celebrating Cultural Diversity Day

In December 2023, some faculty members as well as some alumni of Hampaté Bâ School, including scholarship students now in higher studies, organised a “Cultural Day” to celebrate diversity and to help promote exchange, understanding and respect for traditions and beliefs of different ethnic groups in Niger. This type of celebration can help students learn about the experiences, histories, and contributions of different groups and increase awareness of their diversity, symbol of tolerance and unity.

A Striking Mix of Ethnic Groups and Awards

The event showcased a variety of ethnic groups including Hausa , Djerma, Tuareg, Kanuri, and Peul. Cultural performances by the students infused with folk music, traditional dress and theatre sketches, captivated the audience with unique performances that combined elements with different customs.. During the festival, the organisers gave out gifts to each student who participated ( a novel by Amadou Hampaté Bâ as well as notebooks and pens) in hopes of motivating them to study and encouraging them to follow in the steps of the successful alumni who were present.

A Myriad of colorful activities and Representations

•  Many students, including our scholarship girls, represented customs of their ethnic group by wearing traditional dress and adding lines on their faces, making it easy to identify from which ethnic group they originated.
• Other scholarship girls presented a traditional danse from the Djerma ethnic group, which was accompanied by lively music 
• Yet another scholarship student was part of a theatre play raising awareness of the disadvantages of early marriage , with the strong message of advice for young girls to stay in school and study before thinking of getting married.

What are the Advantages of Cultural Celebrations?
Deeper Awareness of Unity in Diversity

Cultural celebrations are not only joyful, but foster respect and open-mindedness for other cultures. Celebrating our differences, as well as our common interests, helps unite and educate us. To understand other's perspectives, to broaden our own, and to fully experience and educate ourselves.

Expanding Knowledge

Hampaté Bâ School is proud to be home to many different ethnic groups who study harmoniously in a rich and culturally diverse environment. This initiative aims to promote a dialogue between cultures and engage the Hampaté Bâ community in learning more about other traditions and values to expand their knowledge of the world.

Add something extraordinary to what is ordinary

We can never get tired of the lessons learned from the great humanist, Amadou Hampaté Bâ :  the happiness to discover new things and to add something extraordinary to what is ordinary.
We want to help our students make a difference in the world. We want to teach students to think critically, be creative and become innovators, and to work collaboratively. What enterprises require from students isn’t just raw knowledge, but skills and competencies.
The challenge comes in determining what a high-quality education looks like beyond the fundamental skills of reading and writing.
What will students need to succeed as learners, workers, and citizens in today’s global knowledge economy ? Now that we are so much closer to the goal of universal education for all children, we must begin to consider the quality of education over its simple existence.

An exciting time for young people because of the opportunities that are opened up in the field of knowledge and communication between people… Be the change ! Thank you for your donations which allow our underprivileged students in Niger to evolve through quality education. With your help, we can do it !