Friday November 18, 2022:  Enjoy an evening at the Theater and support a good cause at the same time: education for girls in Niger

Don't miss the theater play of the Pamplemousse Company, at 20:15 

Have a wonderful evening at the Theatre with friends and family and support a worthy cause at the same time. It’s a “win-win” situation.

"The Power of Fables"  at  Théâtre Saint-Léon, 11 place du Cardinal Amette, Paris 15ème. 

When you reserve, please make sure that you mention on the form that you want the proceeds of your tickets to go to “ Les Amis de Hampaté Bâ”.

Reserve your places by clicking here: http://www.comedie-pamplemousse.fr/

Dear Friends,

You can be proud! Here is the news that you have all been waiting for!

We are thrilled to announce the fabulous news that 68% of our scholarship students in Hampaté Bâ Middle School succeeded in obtaining the BEPC Diploma in July 2018. This is an incredible score as compared to the national average of 55%, especially for students like the ones we support, coming from very underprivileged backgrounds. The BEPC is an important diploma in Niger as it gives students the right to graduate from Middle School and continue on to High School or qualify to attend one of the many Professional Training Institutes.

Our students’ merit is indisputable as they worked hard constantly and made earnest efforts to get this diploma. It is indeed an amazing accomplishment for them, as the majority have illiterate parents and therefore no one to help them with their studies at home.

In fact, a big part of their success story is due to the SPECIAL TUTORING PROGRAM that our Association put in place several years ago thanks to your donations. This program provides our scholarship students with a support system to study after school under the guidance of qualified tutors for major subjects like Maths, French and Physics/Chemistry. We have made sure that the number of students in these classes remains small, never more than 10 –15, allowing them to get individual attention and be able to ask questions and get answers! Without this tutoring opportunity, obtaining their diploma would have been much more difficult, and perhaps not possible at all.

This project has evolved over time. We especially remarked last year that the students’ academic grade level increased noticeably each month and we believe it was a result of our tutoring program. How about some statistics as proof? The statistics are concrete: last year 87% of our scholarship students’ grades moved up between 2 & 5 points during the year in the subjects where tutoring was given. This was especially true of the students who regularly attended the tutoring classes. A student with 8/20 as an average at the beginning of the year, typically ended up with 10/20 and some even reached 13/20 at the end of the year. We checked this out with a total of 30 students, both weak and strong, and the survey showed a gain of significant points and an important rise in grades in the report cards of 27 students out of 30.

Let’s backtrack ….Did we get good results right away at the start of the Tutoring Classes some years ago? Unfortunately not! In the beginning, very few students attended the classes, there was no roll call, and the students were clearly not motivated to stay after school, especially for subjects that were difficult for them. Gradually, the students recognized the worth of remediation tutoring in small classes with clear explanations, they suddenly began to understand the basics of difficult subjects, they felt comfortable with the specialized teachers who patiently persevered and promoted skills development in reading, writing and maths and they were proud to reply «here «to the roll call every single day. The high-level students felt penalized that they weren’t included in these classes, so a special class opened for them.

A Taste of Success! The most convincing proof of this current enthusiasm is the revitalization of the Tutoring program which is helping to turn mentalities and beliefs around. 3eme Students (9th grade) are so impressed with the fruitful tutoring program, that INSTEAD OF STAYING ON VACATION, THEY HAVE REQUESTED TUTORING CLASSES THE WHOLE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER BEFORE GOING BACK TO SCHOOL IN OCTOBER in their two weakest subjects: Math & Physics, They want to get a head start for the BEPC exam in June. Focus is on improvement and understanding. Of course, we agreed!

The Magic Wand of Mr. Gogo : Our Tutoring Program provides excellent pedagogues who encourage each student to improve and reach his potential, One tutor, in particular, Mr. Gogo has supported the students many years, has given them confidence, and found a way to motivate and inspire them in 2 very difficult subjects: Maths & Physics. In turn, the students’ curiosity stimulates him.

« The students promised me I would be proud of their results on the BEPC and when they announced their success, they were jumping up and down and hugging each other » related Mr. Gogo concerning the successful BEPC results.

« We learn, we succeed, we are proud of ourselves, it’s agreeable, it feels good, it’s fun, we want more ! » declared Aminatou, speaking of the tutoring.

« I’m really good at Maths, but Physics is a mystery to me. In tutoring, we can ask many questions, and Mr. Gogo answers them and puts examples on the blackboard. We also correct all our tests afterwards with him. We wait every week for our Tutoring Class and love how he challenges us», remarks Fatimata.

Your generosity and support in providing scholarships and private tutoring for these deserving, impoverished students have served a wonderful purpose and has made their dreams come true to get a quality education leading hopefully to a career of their choice! Please help us continue financing and extending more Tutoring Classes as this is an important key to their success and you can proudly feel you are making a difference.

Thank you so much! 

Parent engagement in school is nurtured when parents come to understand that their involvement in their child’s studies is a key part of what it means to be a responsible parent, when they are confident enough to make meaningful contributions to the school’s efforts and when they realize that the school administration and teachers, as well as their own children, value their participation in the school.

Our organisation, “Les Amis de Hampaté Bâ”, has been encouraging our teachers and administration in Niamey to work more closely with parents in order to identify goals, problems, and potential solutions to create more successful partnerships to assist more students. 

During the first Parents/Teacher Meeting this week, the principal emphasized the importance of good health from a balanced diet and a hygienic environment that enables the students to work better. “Poor health and unhygienic environments are important underlying causes for absenteeism and poor academic performance,” he explained to the mothers and fathers present at the meeting.

The teachers also asked parents to show more commitment towards supporting their children’s learning and treating learning as a priority.  Almost all of the parents present at the meeting admitted NOT giving their children the time for study, homework, and other learning tasks at home. They also said they did NOT control time allowed to watch television, drink tea, chat with friends, and play cards at the expense of doing school work. Mothers recognised the fact that their daughters spent a lot of time helping them with housework. School work came second, and NOT first.

Once again, the principal intervened asking the parents to provide their children with a suitable place to study at home and to monitor their study time. « These practices make your child understand that his/her academic success is a priority for you and that you put effort in monitoring progress towards this goal ».

Parents were also asked to take the lead in fighting violence against children. As corporal punishment is deeply rooted in cultural and social practices in Niger, it is important for the school authorities to explain to parents why the Hampate Ba School has opted for NOT practicing corporal punishment at school. « We want your children to enjoy a peaceful, safe and protected environment from which fear is banished. We cannot achieve this goal if we physically hurt and psychologically humiliate your children.»

The meeting ended with parents thanking the school staff and our humanitarian association , for doing so much for their children.

« We are very grateful to the school and Les Amis de Hampaté Bâ for taking such good care of our children. We have heard what the teachers and the principal have said and will try to give more of our time and attention to the school work of our children to help them be more successful in their studies and have a better chance in life », said a very happy father. 

Your donations help us promote a quality education for underprivileged students. Thank you!

We are so proud of the progress our scholarship girls have made during their years at Hampate Ba Middle School and through the girl empowerment program we have sponsored.

How exciting to see that some of these girls are on the threshold of starting high school now.

 Just four years ago, by the time Nabila was 12, her parents had planned to get her married. « Without education, I knew my life would be just like my mother’s,” says Nabila. With our support, she can now pursue the bigger dreams she has for her future. “I want to run my own business when I am older. I always thought about school and how I could learn a lot there. When I was told that I was offered a scholarship to attend the Hampaté Bâ Middle School, I just couldn’t believe it. I was so happy ! »

Against all odds, thanks to « Les amis de Hampaté Bâ », and their own determination and hard work, Nabila and her friends have not only gone to school and stayed in school, but are amongst the strongest achievers, and, this fall, are starting Hampate Ba’s new high school which is opening in October !

These girls still face challenges in the Nigerien society that their brothers do not, but they are all determined to continue their education, despite the barriers they face. They have gained confidence in themselves and have realized that girls and women are capable of accomplishing many jobs in society, especially with the support of a good education.

This year, they will be receiving after school supplemental instruction in certain subjects to add to what they are learning in school. For the girls, this is instrumental for increased understanding of difficult subjects, such as chemistry, physics, mathematics, and French.

Thank you so much for your faithful support! Because of you, these girls are in school as members of an academic community – trying to reach their educational goals and make their lives better!

Your generosity has saved girls from early marriages and your contributions are making a big difference. We really thank you kindly for continuing your donations so these girls can continue their high school classes.

How about helping them reach their dream and be part of our first graduating class in 2018 !!!

Ready for high school !

Such great news for the school year 2015-2016 ! The Hampaté Bâ School has been approved by the Nigerien Ministry of Education to expand into a high school section and has welcomed its first class of 10th grade students this fall. How exciting is that !

The school principal, Mr Baro, says: “We are very proud to be able to welcome eleven sponsored students into our newly opened 10th grade! Four years ago, these students came to our school as functional illiterates and look where they are now! We look forward to working with them in the year ahead. They will be able to make a great start alongside our other students, our teachers and our administrative staff.” 

At Hampaté Bâ High School, all students will be working towards obtaining their graduation diploma, regardless of their background. The teachers at the school talk about how students are climbing a mountain towards a high school diploma and, like any challenging expedition, getting there requires a lot of discipline and hard work.

Mr Haougui, the school manager, says : « Our devotion to promoting quality education, computer literacy, arts, and character education is quite unique in Niger. We are not chasing just exam results. We are committed to ensuring that every one of our students feels happy, comfortable and safe at school. »

Indeed, there is lots of support to go along with the school’s high expectations. Thanks to your donations, students receive extra teaching time in numeracy and literacy, and next month, the remedial class teacher will take the new students to visit the Abdou Moumouni University in order to help them see what the summit of their mountain could look like.

We truly appreciate your past participation and any help you can continue to give these students through your donations will allow them to get to the top of the mountain… a high school diploma leading to a university education. Please consider donating to make these dreams come true and through education, make our world a better place. Thank you so much. You are certainly making a big difference with your generosity!

Staff happy to welcome high school students

The small stone of your financial support is casting a wider and wider arc in the lives of students such as Aziz and Fatchima as they develop and flourish.

Aziz has come a long way since he was first sponsored by our Association, les Amis de Hampaté Bâ, in 2011. When Aziz first came to Hampaté Bâ School in 6^th grade, he was a bright and well behaved student, although very timid and shy. However, now he has matured into a confident young adolescent who has just received his BEPC (9^th grade diploma).  “The sponsorship has changed my life and I’m really looking forward to starting high school next year”, he says smiling.

He is one of the deserving beneficiaries of your generosity and not only has he learned to read and write, but he has become a star student. The next academic year, he will enter high school. The first one in his family to do so!

As for Fatchima, in four years, she has grown into a lovely talented young girl, full of life, and nurturing the dream of attending university. “Not many girls get to go to university, either because they are too poor or because they never get the chance to finish secondary school. I’m so lucky to have profited from the special tutoring program at Hampaté Bâ. For me it is very important to make my sponsors proud by succeeding in my studies.”
The small stone of your financial support is casting a wider and wider arc in the lives of students such as Aziz and Fatchima as they develop and flourish.

Aziz has come a long way since he was first sponsored by our Association, les Amis de Hampaté Bâ, in 2011. When Aziz first came to Hampaté Bâ School in 6^th grade, he was a bright and well behaved student, although very timid and shy. However, now he has matured into a confident young adolescent who has just received his BEPC (9^th grade diploma).  “The sponsorship has changed my life and I’m really looking forward to starting high school next year”, he says smiling.

He is one of the deserving beneficiaries of your generosity and not only has he learned to read and write, but he has become a star student. The next academic year, he will enter high school. The first one in his family to do so!

As for Fatchima, in four years, she has grown into a lovely talented young girl, full of life, and nurturing the dream of attending university. “Not many girls get to go to university, either because they are too poor or because they never get the chance to finish secondary school. I’m so lucky to have profited from the special tutoring program at Hampaté Bâ. For me it is very important to make my sponsors proud by succeeding in my studies.”

Our charity believes that education is the best foundation for building a better life for our students and the surrounding community. This is why we are dedicated to providing the opportunity of schooling and special tutoring classes to students like Aziz and Fatchima who are gifted and eager to learn, but are financially challenged. The more donors we have, the more we will be able to help underprivileged children get a quality education.

We hope that generous donors around the world will join us in this great cause!

Thank you so much!

Salamatou’s mother never went to school, but she clearly sees the benefit of sending her daughter to school, especially one as innovative as Hampaté Bâ Middle School: “Schooling opens the minds and the eyes of my daughter. Thanks to her knowledge, my family will be lifted out of darkness because she will learn many things that will be useful.”

Our organisation’s sponsorship programme is well into its fourth year of identifying high potential young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and giving them the opportunity to realise their potential in a school that is child-friendly and offers quality education.

Salamatou and her mother have embraced this opportunity and have fully invested themselves in what Hampaté Bâ has to offer. Even though Mrs. Abdou is illiterate and cannot help her daughter directly with her homework, she makes sure that all the house chores are not assigned to Salamatou as it is the custom in Niger. “My daughter has to concentrate on her schoolwork and so I make sure that she has enough time for that and I don’t burden her with house chores.”

HUGE THANKS TO GUILLAUME FARLEY for a marvelous show Thursday night and for offering us many moments of joy and poetry... with reflections on love and life ! A superb evening with much applause for an extraordinary artist. Guillaume has heart and talent and those who were lucky enough to be there, know it !! More girls in school in Niger thanks to tickets sold ! Thanks to all who came to support our worthy cause and enjoy Guillaume's show !