The following interview with the founder Martine Coppens shows the successful progress of the project and the impact of FOTIS sponsorship.
What are the latest improvements you see in the village’s ‘Education for All’ program?
The biggest improvement in the operational areas of Education for All is that a whole generation of students is educated and motivated to study and to continue their education in tertiary institutions. Through the education of village children, many different communities are now aware of the importance of education. We have students who have started University education and this is a really rewarding and a source of great satisfaction for us.
How have attitudes in the older population changed with regard to education since your involvement?
Since the intervention of Education for All, the mindset of the older population, parents, neighbors, guardians and community stakeholders has changed to a large extent as members of the villages now support and own the developmental activities of the school. Even the headmen and community elders of neighboring villages are involved in supporting the teachers and contributing to school activities which is an expression of their commitment. For years I encouraged parents to send their children to school and now parents send their children without any prompting from me as soon as they are six years old. The school is the heart of the village and the impact we have created is enormous.
How do our graduating students better prepare themselves for their future?
As our sponsored students move from one class to another, they mature intellectually. They have a better vision of life, they are more focused, and they are filled with hope and positive aspirations for the future. They are supported by our local coordinator, Mrs. Victoria Nicol, who provides career advice and assistance with their university applications. She puts a lot of effort into this for which I am really grateful. The students are motivated which is very important.
How has the partnership with FOTIS impacted on the students that graduate from your primary schools?
Prior to the partnership with FOTIS, the scholarship project had limited impact because we were only able to sponsor small numbers of students. Most parents or guardians could not afford to pay the expenses towards secondary education, which meant that students who were not sponsored dropped out of school. The partnership with FOTIS has had a great impact on the lives of pupils who graduate from Global Outreach Primary School because it has allowed us to increase the number of students who benefit from the scholarship and ensured greater sustainability. FOTIS has improved the lives of these students. Today I met one of the girls we took on board last year and I was proud to see how she has grown in confidence and maturity. It wasn’t long ago that she was afraid of being forced into prostitution. She now has a much brighter future ahead of her. Thank you FOTIS.
You’ve witnessed incredible changes since you first visited Sierra Leone. How have the girls you’ve assisted changed in confidence and altered their place in society?
The girls now have an opportunity to acquire an education and they have a place in society. When we give out the scholarships, the girls share their objectives and dreams with us. We continue to stress the importance of working hard throughout their educational journeys – not for the sake of the school – but to help realize their dreams and secure their futures. It is always a wonderful moment when we first meet the scholarship students.