Mrs. Haoua Issa is a champion for education in her village of Dan Bardé. Although having never attended formal school, she has introduced a successful literacy program for her community.
Haoua joined a literacy center in 2013 when USAID and its partners, Plan USA and Aide et Action, began the Niger Education and Community Strengthening (NECS) training center to help adults and support the local primary school. This opportunity dramatically changed her life and the lives of others.
Within a year, Haoua was evaluated and had already achieved a “Level Six” adult literacy, which means she could read and write fluently in Hausa. She immediately applied her new skills to her small business selling “KOULI-KOULI,“ a locally made popular product made from peanuts. She proudly states that her literacy competence has drastically improved her business because, for example, she is now able to closely track her business transactions.
However, Haoua has ensured her lessons benefit others, too. This mother of six and grandmother of 17 immediately set out to change the lives of others in her village. She became the monitor of the village library and the self-managed literacy center for women and men. She also joined the village student-mother’s Association (AME) and is now the Secretary General for her village, writing minutes and g
Mrs. Haoua Issa is a champion for education in her village of Dan Bardé. Although having never attended formal school, she has introduced a successful literacy program for her community.
Haoua joined a literacy center in 2013 when USAID and its partners, Plan USA and Aide et Action, began the Niger Education and Community Strengthening (NECS) training center to help adults and support the local primary school. This opportunity dramatically changed her life and the lives of others.
Within a year, Haoua was evaluated and had already achieved a “Level Six” adult literacy, which means she could read and write fluently in Hausa. She immediately applied her new skills to her small business selling “KOULI-KOULI,“ a locally made popular product made from peanuts. She proudly states that her literacy competence has drastically improved her business because, for example, she is now able to closely track her business transactions.
However, Haoua has ensured her lessons benefit others, too. This mother of six and grandmother of 17 immediately set out to change the lives of others in her village. She became the monitor of the village library and the self-managed literacy center for women and men. She also joined the village student-mother’s Association (AME) and is now the Secretary General for her village, writing minutes and giving official speeches for village guests. Additionally, as the traditional midwife for her village, she regularly accompanies pregnant women to the nearest health center and reads them the health instructions for themselves and their babies.
In January 2017, Haoua submitted the story of her village, Dan Bardé, to a local story writing competition sponsored by the Literacy and Non-Formal Education Inspection (IAENF) of Magaria. Today, village children use this text to learn how to read and understand more about their history. The story is also a cherished part of the local library’s collection.
Today, thanks to Haoua’s leadership, Dan Bardé is now an IAENF reference village for literacy promotion. In May 2017, the Mayor of Magaria Commune presented her with an award to recognize her exceptional work promoting functional literacy and community development. Haoua was also recognized for being the first literate adult to inform local authorities about damage caused by a heavy rain fall last season
The impact of the USAID program has been immense. The NECS literacy program has drastically changed Haoua’s life and she is a force for change in her village. As she says, “My wish is to provide all village children, especially my grandsons and granddaughters, with the maximum opportunity to access education; stay in school as long as possible and learn well for their future.”
iving official speeches for village guests. Additionally, as the traditional midwife for her village, she regularly accompanies pregnant women to the nearest health center and reads them the health instructions for themselves and their babies.
In January 2017, Haoua submitted the story of her village, Dan Bardé, to a local story writing competition sponsored by the Literacy and Non-Formal Education Inspection (IAENF) of Magaria. Today, village children use this text to learn how to read and understand more about their history. The story is also a cherished part of the local library’s collection.
Today, thanks to Haoua’s leadership, Dan Bardé is now an IAENF reference village for literacy promotion. In May 2017, the Mayor of Magaria Commune presented her with an award to recognize her exceptional work promoting functional literacy and community development. Haoua was also recognized for being the first literate adult to inform local authorities about damage caused by a heavy rain fall last season
The impact of the USAID program has been immense. The NECS literacy program has drastically changed Haoua’s life and she is a force for change in her village. As she says, “My wish is to provide all village children, especially my grandsons and granddaughters, with the maximum opportunity to access education; stay in school as long as possible and learn well for their future.”
