RCA 05 - WINDOWS OF HOPE: SUPPORT FOR YOUNG STUDENTS
Project Location
The project takes place in Bagandou, a city located in the municipality of Moboma, which belongs to the prefecture of Lobaye, and to the diocese of M'Baïki. Bagandou is 130 km far from the capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui. The inhabitants of Bagandou grow cassava tubers, peanuts, corn, yam, but not in large quantities because they practice subsistence farming only. During the rainy season it is not too difficult to rely on the crops grown on the fields, but during the dry season the population suffers lack of nutrition.
The region is isolated, in the middle of the forest, the roads and bridges are in a precarious state. Therefore it is always difficult to trade in local products. The youth would like to attend school, but these are few and their educational level is very low because of the lack of well-trained teachers; moreover, the salaries of teachers are not paid by the state, but by the families of the pupils. We know of many young people, especially girls, who at the age of 12, 13 or even 14 years still have not completed the primary school cycle because so many times teachers do not report for work. We also see some talented young people, who unfortunately have no opportunity to continue their studies elsewhere.
In the diocese, 35 km from Bagandou, there is a boarding school for boys, and since two years there has also been one for girls, run by the Dominican Sisters. The academic level is good and the girls are educated also in other disciplines that empower them in their human and Christian formation. Due to the lack of prospects and support, many girls immediately become single mothers, without knowing how to support their children.
Project description
This project intends to offer the opportunity to some youth, especially girls, whom we see diligent and whose families we know, to continue their studies in boarding schools in Santa Monica and Safa. For the year 2023-2024, we plan to sponsor 4 girls and 2 boys. The collected funds will be used not only to pay for school fees, uniforms, supplies and stationary (exercise books, pens, textbooks, a backpack), but also for other small items necessary for their stay in the internship such as: sheets, clothes, footwear, a suitcase, a bucket, a basin, hygiene products, etc.
We are confident that the benefitting girls - staying in a safe and quiet place where to study and to have an education - can live their young lives without running the risk of becoming single mothers at an early age. They will certainly achieve a better level of education and will be able to enter higher classes. This will also help their families who have to take care of their siblings, since usually families are rather large.
We also hope that, due to this project, in the long run, there will be young people with a sufficient level of training able to take on responsibilities and to carry out jobs that require a certain level of education, so that the whole of society can benefit from it.
Objectives
- To give these youth an opportunity to study, to support their families and to inspire them hope for a better future
- To reduce early pregnancies
Local contribution
The families give a small annual contribution, as a sign of their responsibility to their children, and donate some products to help with food and transportation.
Beneficiaries
Direct: 4 girls and 2 boys
Indirect: their families and society
Referent sister for the project: Sr. Luzia Premoli
Project's costs