THE NAKINTI NOFURU SCHOLARSHIP: WORLD PULSE INSPIRED ME TO DO THIS!

We need stories that are “solutions oriented,” says World Pulse.

The phrase “Solutions Oriented” has really has been a powerful one for me. I have never stopped pondering on the power that lies in these lines.

When we started the application process of VOF 2013, I came in contact with this phrase. It is often used to tell us the kind of stories that World Pulse is interested in. It fits practically well when we think of the world we are trying to build, and change we aspire to bring. It leads us into thinking about sharing solutions, rather than just sharing problems. It creates an opportunity for us to think out of the box. It drives us to the wild to look for or propose solutions for the worlds multiple problems. It locates us [women] as the most important agent of change.
Come to think of it, why must our journal entries be solutions oriented? Ask yourself, and like me think about the solution this is trying to bring.

The solutions oriented nature of our entries dragged me into a solutions based approach for the education of girls in a rural community whose agricultural produce contributed greatly in my education. I cannot forget how mum and dad toiled daily in the farm just to make sure I had money and food to take to school. I cannot forget the members of the community who were always there to give out loan to my parents to enable my siblings and I pay school fees and buy other school needs.

When I move along the village street whenever I go back to the village, I pay respect to all the rural community members whose fingers have lost the shape of beauty all in a bid to make life better. I salute all rural mothers whose daily contribution to their daughter’s education has indirectly impacted in development of the nation. Remember, they went through this process in pain and DEDICATION.

All this struggles led me to write my VOF piece -- “When poverty strikes, education is at risk: Four young girls skipped classes to raise money for others’ education.” You can read it in my Journal. The solution oriented nature of this piece, has led me to a bigger solution oriented course. I want to feed back the finger that fed me.

SOLUTIONS ORIENTED…OH! WHAT A THOUGHT PROVOKING PHRASE!

From next academic year, 2014/2015, I am coming up with the Nakinti Nofuru scholarship in this village of mine called Bai Kuke. In Bai Kuke, there are 2 secondary schools, and 4 primary schools. In each school, I will pay tuition for at least 2 students whose school fees/tuition is less than 40,000frs CFA ($80). These students must fall within a criteria that I will work out with some educational authorities and elders in the village, one of which must be -- needy and intelligent student. The student must be a female too.

How am I going to raise this money?

Monthly salary…yes. I have started saving some amount of my monthly income in a bank. This will give me a reasonable amount by next academic year. It is not going to be much, but I am sure to raise at least $600 for a start. God be my helper. And this will go on every academic year.

I know, for sure, that some female students in the village drop out of school because they keep sending them away for owing tuition, and they go a long way to become teenage mothers. And this makes the poverty cycle to become bigger.

That special girl, whom you may see through school, may be the one to bring change to the nation.
This girl may be the one to show you love all the days of your life. She may be the one to hold your head when you are breathing your last, place a warm kiss on your forehead when you lay still.

And remember, you have educated a nation!!!

~~[Mentors and sponsors are encouraged to partner!]
~~[Elite community members are welcome to collaborate!!]