In rural Africa, girls often attend primary school very little. Many women, while carrying significant family responsibilities, still suffer from illiteracy, a reality that causes them many daily difficulties. In many households, mothers continue to keep their daughters at home for family chores, particularly the chore of fetching water.
Despite the school attendance mandate issued by the government, we witnessed this situation in the Savanes region, in northern Togo, in the Nayéga canton. We chose to take action, in collaboration with local authorities.
For two years, our action unfolded on several fronts. We first strengthened schools by funding the purchase of school supplies and improving the potability of wells. Then we established a social service tasked with meeting families in the canton, to encourage parents to comply with the law and send all their children, including girls, to school.
The results speak for themselves. Schools now welcome about 3,500 children, compared to 1,500 before our intervention. Even more remarkable, the proportion of girls has increased from 25% to 48% of school attendance, a progress that sustainably changes the lives of these families and an entire canton.
Yes, Rotary has a lasting impact, and nothing human is alien to it.