Ouindinmanegde - to be added

Aimé was about 5 years old at the time of our visit in September 2022. His mother died earlier this year from an unknown illness, leaving behind her husband and five children. All the father could tell us was that mom was sick with a cold.

It is very unusual for a father to attempt to raise his children in this culture. Therefore, two of the girls are being raised by Aunts. One girl remains with her dad, the eldest named Helene. She’s about 15 years old but unable to attend school because she bears the responsibility of housework and helping care for Aimé.
It is also unusual for us to look for a sponsor when the father is still living; however, this is a particular case. The father farms alone and is unable to provide sufficiently for the remaining children. In addition, the home is in disrepair.

The family lives in a small village called Moutoulou in a typical mud-brick home. The family was in good health at the time of the visit.

Regina was about eight years old at the time of our visit in November 2021. She is in her 2nd year of school, comparable to our American 1st grade.

Regina’s father died from an unknown illness in 2012, leaving behind his wife and five children. Two of the older children are girls who have since married. Anselme is a boy of about 15, but he has left home, choosing to live on the streets. Regina is the youngest. She and another sibling remain with their mother.

Though the children are young, they are able to be of some help to their mother in planting a crop of millet each year. Her mother also manages day-to-day by going knocking on doors, seeking laundry jobs with whomever will hire her.

Fortunately, their home is in good condition, and all are in good health.

Laeticia was about 10 years old at the time of our visit in March 2022. She is in her 4th year of school, comparable to the American 3rd grade. She had an average grade of 6 out of 10 which is not bad in this system.
Laeticia’s father passed away in 2020 from an unknown illness, leaving behind his wife and five children. The oldest child is about 16 years of age and the youngest about 6 years old. Fortunately, all five of the children are still with their mother which is unusual after a father dies. The oldest, Adeline is old enough to be of great help to her mother. Laeticia and her brother, Florentin, are the only ones in school. Florentin is about 14 and is in his 8th year, but he is also helpful during the farming months.

Laeticia’s mother plants a small crop of millet with the help of her children. She also manages to feed her family and pay Leticia’s school fees by selling beans and gathering sand to sell to local construction workers. Apparently, Florentin’s fees have been waived for this year.

The family lives in a small mud brick home, but there are cracks, so it will eventually need repair to survive the rainy season.