As we explore further the initiatives of education and empowerment across our five federations, we showcase three remarkable stories from SIAF. Fatoumata, Hawa, and Hanane have overcome financial barriers in the pursuit of education and the achievement of academic excellence. These stories underscore the profound influence of Soroptimist initiatives in promoting education, gender equality, and empowering young minds across Africa.

Fatoumata – SI Yaoundé

My name is Fatoumata, ex-student of Ladybird High School Yaoundé. Ladybird is aimed at grooming leaders of integrity through outstanding moral standards and academic excellence. While in Ladybird, I was a member of the Youth leadership/HeForShe which are under the auspices of Soroptimist

International Club-Yaoundé. Being a part of this maiden institution was one of the luckiest incidences that ever happened in my life. I have been transformed through the field of digitalisation and STEM imparted on me. Soroptimist International has been my support through their uncountable material and financial assistance to make me stand out in STEM related subjects.

 

Soroptimist International was always present in nearly all the gender equality related events (International Day of the Girl Child), 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and discrimination, International Women’s Day to encourage us. In one of those events, I played the role of a Civil Engineer where l encouraged other girls to embrace engineering careers. Being from a minority tribe, I was generally shy and could not always voice my opinion to others, but thanks to the encouragement and support from Soroptimist International and my coaches in Ladybird, I was able to express myself and I loved the experience. Since then, my self-esteem has been boosted which has encouraged me to follow my dreams. At the end of that event, I was awarded a prize as one of the outstanding female science students in Ladybird.

Thanks to Soroptimist International, I am now a more confident woman which has helped, and it is also helping other girls to believe in themselves in one way or the other. Today, I am studying Civil Engineering at the National Advanced School of Public Works.

Hawa – SI Yaoundé

My name is Hawa and I am with my friend Momo Jennifer. We are ex-students from Ladybird Secondary School whose motto is High morals standards and academic excellence. Ladybird High school being affiliated to Soroptimist International Club-Yaoundé has the Youth leadership/STEM and HeForShe clubs which creates awareness on Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 5. These goals are aimed at fighting for equal access to education and gender equality respectively. Soroptimist International Club- Yaoundé has played a very incredible role in my life from kindergarten to high school and in the lives of other students in my school. She encourages the Girl child’s education especially in STEM related subjects. They provide prizes to outstanding female students in sciences and in Leadership.

This made me to be firm in Leadership skills and boosted my self-esteem. I have loved every moment in Ladybird as this has paved my way into my dream which is that of becoming a medical doctor. I am proud to say that thanks to SOROPTIMIST International Club-Yaoundé, my life, with that of my family, will never be the same. I am into General medicine while Jeniffer is into pharmacology at CUSS Yaoundé which is under the University of Yaoundé; we promise to uphold the values planted to us by Soroptimist International Club- Yaoundé and want to say that you can count on us.

Hanane – SI d’Agadir

Last, SIAF have also shared the story of Hanane, a young woman who has been encouraged and supported by SI d’Agadir to pursue higher education and continue her studies.

Hanane comes from a poor family in the Agadir Ida Outatane region. Her parents have several children and when she finished her studies in the basic primary curriculum, they found themselves very embarrassed between the wish to encourage this girl who had good academic results and the cost that this represents since she will be brought to go to town (Agadir) to continue studies. The family having too low income to be able to pay for boarding school, the Soroptimist Club of Agadir received a request from her father to cover the costs of settling his studious daughter in the city.

After studying her file, Hanane was able to benefit from a scholarship granted by the Soroptimist Club of Agadir for 6 years: from the first year of college until the baccalaureate. The Club also provided school supplies at each start of the school year. The young girl redoubled her efforts to live up to the trust placed in her. She succeeded every year with a good general average.

To reward her for obtaining her baccalaureate, the club gave her a laptop to help her with her university studies. She obtained a License in Sharia, Aït Melloul Faculty at the end of the 2022-2023 academic year.

Today, Hanane is a teacher and very grateful to the Soroptimist Club of Agadir for allowing her to complete her studies.