Photo by RET, 2024.

Article by RET Germany in Niger

BOKKI, NIGER – Since 2021, RET Germany in Niger has been working to promote girls’ access and retention in quality primary and secondary education and women’s socio-economic empowerment for inclusive and peaceful development in the Tillaberi region, north of Niger’s capital Niamey. This project has been generously supported and funded by the German Federal Ministry for Foreign Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Fatouma Aboubacar (11) lives with her parents in the village of Bokki, about 100 km south of Niger’s capital Niamey, along Burkino Faso’s northern border. She comes from a modest family consisting of two brothers and two sisters, including herself. Currently in CM1 at Bokki’s school, education has always been a priority for Fatouma’s family.

For Fatouma’s father, education has always been a priority for him. While the children spent their free time studying the Quranic or helping their mother with household chores, their father always stressed the importance of academic success. He made sure to send his children to school to acquire the essential knowledge necessary for life, “to seek the knowledge of the white man,” as he puts it. Because of the importance her father has placed Fatouma has resolved to make her parents proud by excelling in her studies, especially in her class.

Fatouma has resolved to make her parents proud by excelling her studies… “This year, I’ll work even harder.”

The project implemented by RET Germany in partnership with local NGO SongES rewards girls who stand out for their academic progress. Fatouma, motivated by this initiative, excelled at school, and was honored twice by receiving a symbolic loincloth as a testament to her academic successes.

With a natural smile, Fatouma spoke by saying, “Last year I received a gift, and this year I just received my second gift. I am very happy and will proudly wear this fabric. This year, I’ll work even harder to earn a third gift.”

According to the school principal, this award is a source of pride for both the girls and their parents in the village. It symbolizes a child’s dedication to their education, serving as an encouragement for recipients and motivation for those who are not selected to study more to make the Girls Performing list the following year.

In addition to her academic achievements, Fatouma is also involved in community initiatives through girls’ clubs, where she actively participates in bi-weekly awareness sessions and meetings with teachers on topics such as menstrual hygiene, the fight against early marriage, and gender-based violence (GBV).

Fatouma aspires to become a nurse [to help] her family members and the women of her village.

Fatouma’s mother expresses her desire to see her daughter continue to flourish and succeed, as she knows that a daughter’s success benefits not only her parents, but the entire community. She expresses her gratitude to the project for its positive impact in their village and implores God’s protection and blessing for all those who contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of rural women.

Looking to the future, Fatouma aspires to become a nurse. She dreams of helping her family members and the women of her village against the various diseases prevalent in the community. Her desire to see rural women live in better conditions pushes her to encourage her fellow girls to continue their education and to invest fully in the transformation of their reality.

To help girls like Fatouma in Niger – and around the world – consider making a donation to RET today.