An imminent threat

“One day we were at school and people came to tell us to close the school, and if anyone came back, they would kill that person.” 
 - Raïnatou

In Raïnatou’s country of Burkina Faso, terrorists are attacking villages, threatening teachers, and looting schools. As a result, the country is facing one of the world’s fastest-growing displacement crises. More than 800,000 children under the age of 14, including Raïnatou, have been forcibly removed from their school, home and family because of armed conflict and violence.

After terrorists threatened her school, it was no longer safe for 13-year-old Raïnatou to access her right to education.

“I ran home and informed my parents. With my father, a solution had to be found so that I could continue my studies.”
- Raïnatou  

But you and other Plan International Because I am a Girl supporters* are helping children and girls like Raïnatou access education safely and succeed in pursuing their dreams.

A community united

Raïnatou was invited into the home of her uncle, Jean, who lives in a safer village with a school supported by Team Girl.

To help activate community-led change, supporters like you help empower local advocates to communicate the importance of education throughout the country. Through radio broadcasts and community volunteers like Nadinga, awareness among local parents is increasing.

Raïnatou continues to live with her uncle and attends one of the 200 schools reached by Team Girl members like you. Your committed support helps ensure continued access to education for girls like Raïnatou by providing safe learning environments and essential resources.

With help from your support, girls’ access to their rights is strengthening every day. Girls like Raïnatou can continue to study safely, while children and their communities affected by displacement are able to rebuild and recover.

“Plan International helped me go back to school. They gave me a good bag, supplies and a scholarship. They also donated hand washing facilities to my school. When I grow up, I would like to be a doctor to treat the sick.” 
Raïnatou

Meanwhile, Nadinga vows to continue combating the setbacks to girls’ rights and futures, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict and extreme poverty.

A huge THANK YOU to Team Girl supporters for helping children and girls like Raïnatou discover their inherent power and unleash the potential of education. Your help goes a long way to support people and communities affected by conflict and displacement.

Together we are advancing children’s and girls’ rights towards an equal future.