By Sher Betz | Co-founder: Association Les Amis de Hampate Ba
October was a very happy time for our scholarship girls. It’s « Back to School » time !
Thanks to your donations to pay for their school fees, 33 jubilant girl students, old and new, will have the gift of an education at Hampaté Bâ Secondary school this year, rather than be obliged to stay at home doing housework or destined to the plight of an early marriage. In this article, we are focussing on the new girls.
Zoom on New Scholarship Recipients : This year we are proud to add 5 new underprivileged girls in Middle School at 6th grade level, some of whom are orphans and adopted by an aunt, uncle or grandparent. These particular girls would not have access to Middle School without our help, as the families cannot afford secondary education for them. The girls were busy revising all summer as they were eager to be admitted to our innovative Hampaté Bâ School.
How were the girls selected ? They passed an academic entrance test at the end of August. The school had to do quite a few batches of exams, since the level of those seeking admission was so low, that we had a hard time finding candidates with an adequate level. Many were not even able to copy a text or to write their name. After finding a small number of girls who passed the academic requirements, in September we called in an educational expert who interviewed each girl privately along with members of her family (who were all illiterate). We wanted to be sure of each girl’s capacities to express herself, her motivation and eagerness to learn, and the willingness of her family members to give moral support and to help with housework chores so the girls would have sufficient time for homework. The selection finally gave positive results and we were able to identify 5 highly motivated girls to whom we have granted scholarships. We are proud to announce that after one month, these girls are already among the best in their classes, in all subjects ! That’s a great proof of what a difference encouragement and enthusiastic support can make !
Stories of Moms : We were very moved by the stories recounted by some of the mothers.
« I was not able to stay in secondary school because my family had no money and girls didn’t matter. I had to drop out in 6th grade and was forced to marry at 12 years old. I regret it to this day. »
« I want a better life for my daughter, since I was sent to a family far from Niamey, as my parents had no money to keep me with them. Girls didn’t count. I never found a job and cannot offer today a decent life to Nassia » mentioned her mother.
These mothers’ words inspire us and remind us that as much as possible, we must continue to provide quality educational opportunities to the many girls and young women who desire a better future for their families and their country.
More than just School Fees : What are advantages to supporting Scholarships for a girl at Hampate Ba School ? Many of these disadvantaged girls live too far from Hampate Ba School to walk. So we have decided that transport fees will be paid for by our donors. This helps them to get to school on time and be less fatigued for their school courses. In addition, the girls will have the advantage of optional art courses once a week after school to develop imagination and various spatial skills, also possible thanks to your donations. We are able to offer computer classes and a well equipped Media Room also, which can give an advantage to our girls in landing a job later on. And finally, the girls will have the advantage of learning in smaller classes of 45 students, rather than the public school classes with 100 students per class (where learning does not take place).
We saw the need in Niger first-hand during our trips. But here are the hard facts. Niger is one of, if not the poorest country in the world and only 9% of girls attend middle school and just 3% go on to high school. In Niger, approximately 65% of girls are married before the age of 18 and 1/3 before the age of 15. However, in girls who have a secondary education, only 18% marry before the age of 18.
HOPE Our sincere hope is that these new girl students will learn at secondary offers them many joys and academic growth at Hampaté Bâ School.
Your continued support is needed and appreciated
Last year, as a result of your gifts to the scholarship fund for girls, around 30 girls were able to attend Hampaté Bâ Secondary School. Thank you !
This would not have been possible without your kind donations. Your gift of secondary school education to young underprivileged girls will have long-standing effects on the girl, her family, and her community. Keeping girls in school and building their skills reduces child marriage and also increases economic productivity, We look forward to keeping you updated about the many ways your support is changing young girls’ lives in Niger. Thank you for your generosity and continued support. All amounts are welcome. Every donation counts !
By Sher Betz | Co-Founder : Association les Amis de Hampate Ba
By Sher Betz | Co-Founder : Association les Amis de Hampate Ba
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