From frequent absences to perfect attendance: Abibatu’s story

Abibatu Bangura, 12, began missing long stretches of school two years ago after her mother Zainab got very sick. Following multiple surgeries, Zainab could no longer maintain a stable income.   Abibatu’s father abandoned the family years ago, so Zainab’s illness has meant there is no money for school lunch, pencils or paper.  Using the attendance monitoring software Lutheran World Relief and our partners at CGA Technologies developed for schools in Sierra Leone, school officials flagged that Abibatu was at risk of dropping out due to her frequent and extended absences. Now, with support from LWR, Abibatu receives a monthly cash transfer (about $10 USD) to meet her basic needs, plus other program support. To receive the cash, she must attend regularly — which is no longer a problem. Abibatu says, “This year, I come to school every day because of the cash grant.”  Zainab now has hope for her daughter’s future. “She is brilliant. God will see her through,” she says. “We want to thank you very much. May God bless you.”  As for Abibatu, she hopes to grow up and become a lawyer so that she can help those who are being taken advantage of — a wonderful way to pay hope forward. More information about Lutheran World Relief’s work in Sierra Leone:    Video:    • With your help, an orphan had her best yea...   Video:    • Young mother and daughter beat the odds to...   Video:    • What is a cash transfer and why do they help?    Video:    • Stand for Her: How data is transforming ed...    Video:    • You can change a girl’s life in Sierra Leo...    Video:    • School attendance is low among girls in Si...   News: Year 1 Update: Here’s how YOU helped hundreds of girls stay in school      Blog:  https://lwr.org/blog/2024/girls-sierr... Follow Lutheran World Relief on Facebook:    / luthworldrelief   Follow Lutheran World Relief on Instagram:   / luthworldrelief   Learn more about Lutheran World Relief: https://lwr.org/ Subscribe to the Lutheran World Relief email list:  https://lwr.org/sign-our-emails Give where needed most: lwr.org/give