Give the gift of education to transform lives

Millions of women and girls do not have access to quality education. Due to both poverty and gender discrimination, 65 million girls and young women are kept out of the classroom, and millions more are in school but barely learning. Those who do go to school often find that their job options are no different than if they had never studied. They don't have the soft skills, confidence, or opportunities to gain good work and lift themselves, and their families, out of poverty.

With an education, women like Ganiyat, a 23-year-old hospitality student at Wavecrest College of Hospitality in Nigeria, gains both personal and financial agency.  Since starting her studies, her sense of self and and her direction in life has changed dramatically thanks to gaining knowledge and skills to access better opportunities, including the chance to earn a greater, more secure income, reducing her risk of exploitation.

“My dreams have changed since I entered Wavecrest by acknowledging who I am, and what I can do with my hands as a person.”

Hospitality seemed like a natural career choice for Ganiyat, who describes herself as very caring:

 “I love catering for people. Initially, I aimed to become a nurse, taking care of patients, I just wanted to take care of people’s health. But I discovered that Hospitality is very much similar to that. Now I can take care of people giving them good nutritious food”, she told us.

She takes pride in her studies and her newly learned skills and takes every opportunity to share them with those around her:

 “My studies have enabled me to inspire two of my friends in higher institutions to want to learn about hospitality as a career and also want to come to Wavecrest. I taught them how to make intercontinental dishes. I have also been involved in service projects by doing volunteer work at Wavecrest club for secondary school girls, teaching the young girls in the club how to make doughnuts and other pastries.”

 As a result, not only does the well-being of women like Ganiyat improve, but that of her family. As more women receive an education, their community will become healthier, happier, more gender-equal and less impoverished.

Ganiyat, and other young women who would otherwise be excluded from a Wavecrest education due to financial means, are receiving scholarships to continue their studies.

“I would say a big thank you to the people who are offering me the scholarship, I will never forget them as they will be part of my life story and I will always pray for them wholeheartedly.”

With your support, WONDER Foundation can keep young women like Ganiyat in education and change their lives for good!

Micaella is seventeen and studying hospitality at Anihan Technical School in the Philippines. 

Micaella’s father is a factory worker, while her mother takes care of the family. Micaella is the youngest in her family, with two older siblings. Her parents admire her dedication to her studies, as they often see her studying in the evening and writing notes.

 “My friends and family are proud of me, because I’m slowly achieving my dreams by having new knowledge, and enhancing the skills I have.” Micaella says. 

“My aspirations are to be a positive thinker so that I can finish and focus on my task that needs to be done, and to build good study habits so that I can study and learn properly.”

Micaella is already using the skills she is learning to make food for her friends and family, and is proud of what she has accomplished so far. “My parent’s friends want me to teach them how I cook different dishes, pastries, and desserts, every time I serve something to them,” she says.

At Anihan, Micaella receives support from a mentor who works with her one-on-one to help her work through challenges, build confidence, and achieve her goals.

“My mentor inspires me to do better, and to do my best in school. She gives me advice about life, and asks me if I’m okay or not,” Micaella says. “My mentor is helpful, because I can open up to her and ask for advice, especially if it’s about school.”

Being in a positive environment with supportive classmates and teachers inspires Micaella to help others in return. “Teachers genuinely care about their students, so I do the same. I care for people who are around me,” she says.

Thank you for supporting girls like Micaella!

With gratitude,

Nicole and the WONDER team