By Hindaty Traore, Girls’ Project Manager
Korotoumou is proud of her perseverance in school…as she should be!
In the rural villages of Mali, girls face many difficulties in order to be able to study. Some live very far away from school, and others face family problems. Through my interviews this month I have met girls who each have a unique story, but each was able to overcome these difficulties despite their young age. Because of their determination, they were able to continue to go to school and build a better life for themselves, and for their families.
I wanted to share just a few of the stories that most moved me with you all. I’ll start with the story of Korotoumou, told in her own words.
“My name is Korotoumou Doumbia. I am 17 years old. I am doing 8th grade at Judge Memorial Middle School. I come from a village 9km from Sankama called Chiokoro. I had the chance to go to school, it differentiates me from other girls who didn't have that chance. Because I understand French and I can understand the information given in French. The school helped me to read and understand letters and other things.
I want to become a journalist to give good information to people because information is the most powerful weapon in the world (I learned that from my French teacher). Informing people is also contributing to the development of my country.
I spent my whole childhood without problems. However last year I had to repeat a grade and my father got angry. He didn't want me to go back to school this year. I went to see his friends, my uncles and aunts, so they would ask him to let me continue school, but he refused each time. Why? Well, because to him I was wasting his money by not studying well.
It is thanks to the arrival of Girls’ Project in Sankama this year that he gave me a second chance. He saw the other parents were very motivated by the arrival of the project. I also promised him that I would fight for the have [a good grade]. I succeeded! I had an average of 12 in the first trimester which allowed me to go to the zoo with the Girls’ Project! My father was very happy.
I think I'm a hero because when I challenge myself and I do it all the time and when I have problems I always try to find a solution. I am very grateful to the Girls' Project, which came at just the right time, to my father who gave me a second chance, and also to the teachers who taught me.”
