Fatoumata, 14, has returned to school and is planning for a better future thanks to Plan Interational’s Break Free! project.
In Mali, where the ripple effect of the COVID-19 crisis is still being felt, thousands of girls have been unable to return to school. During the pandemic, schools closed their doors and children were left to fend for themselves, with large numbers moving from rural to urban areas in search of work.
To support girls back into the classroom, Plan International’s Break Free! project is helping young women make informed decisions about their lives.
Although COVID-19 infection levels in Mali have reduced drastically and prevention restrictions have been lifted, the social and economic effects of the pandemic remain, and in many cases have been worsened by the impact of other emerging or existing crises.
“During COVID-19, there was no school, so with the help of one of my aunts I went to Bamako,” says 14-year-old Fatoumata. “I spent almost 2 years there working. I earned FCFA 7,500 (€11) a month and my job consisted mainly of selling ice cream by the roadside.”
Fatoumata’s work meant she spent 2 years out of school. It was only when she returned to her village in Bougouni district that her mother Salimata become worried about her situation and tried to find a way for her to return to school.
“She spent about 2 years in Bamako thinking she had money. She returned with only 35,000 FCFA (€53) in her pocket that we invested for the day she wants to get married,” explains Salimata.
“I still don’t understand what made her go to Bamako. I think she wanted to emulate some of her friends who were doing the same thing. For me, who has never been to school, I know what that can do. You don’t get anywhere without an education.”
Returning to education
The Break Free! project helps girls return to school and access to sexual and reproductive health services. Trained community leaders and volunteers provide young people with accurate information and pathways back to education for girls at risk of child marriage and teenage pregnancy.
“I was approached by Fatoumata’s parents, mainly her mother. She told me about her daughter who had not been going to school since she returned from Bamako. After several meetings she was able to return to school,” says project volunteer Diakaridia Coumaré.
“Today it’s not easy with the children, especially the girls, they think they’re going to Bamako to find money, but they don’t attach any importance to education.”
“I like school but I hope to go into business later on. For now, I’m going to concentrate on my studies.”
Fatoumata
The issues around the exodus of children and young people migrating from rural to urban areas is not a new problem in Mali. Children often leave home without their parent’s permission and leave themselves vulnerable to all kinds of exploitation.
Many are not as fortunate as Fatoumata, who was able to return to her studies following the intervention of her mother and local Break Free! volunteers.
“From my point of view, she has to continue at school because it’s very important. These days you can’t achieve anything without education,” says Adama, Fatoumata’s father.
“That’s what I want for all my children. I want them to be able to succeed in life so that they can take care of themselves and also help the family. Marriage is not a compulsory step and parents give their daughters in marriage when they have no other choice and fear the risk that she might end up pregnant.”
Now that Fatoumata has been able to return to her studies, she can envisage a better future for herself. “Today I’m back at school. I’m behind the other pupils but I’m trying to catch up.”
“Last year, when I went back to school, I was behind in my class and this year after the first exams I came 7th out of 67 students, 22 of them girls. I like school but I hope to go into business later on. For now, I’m going to concentrate on my studies.”
About the project
Break Free! is a 5-year (2021-2026) joint programme by Plan International, SRHR Africa Trust and Forum for African Women Educationalists in collaboration with technical partners The Royal Tropical Institute and Rozaria Memorial Trust and funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Break Free! works with adolescents in 9 African countries so they can make their own free and informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health in order to combat teenage pregnancy and child, early and forced marriage, and in some countries female genital mutilation and cutting.
The Break Free! programme is implemented in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Sudan, and Zambia.
Education, COVID-19, Out-of-school children
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