School: a turning point in Malika's life
When asked what her favourite food is, Malika cheekily replies "salad" before bursting into laughter, quickly joined by her two best friends, Zeinab and Nafissa. Between confidences and smiles, they revise their lessons for the next day together at Malika's house in Maradi, in southern Niger.
Malika is now 13 years old and in Year 6. Visually impaired since she was four months old, Malika can distinguish shapes and colours, but her visual disability has long prevented her from following lessons like other children. Since Year 3, HI has been supporting her to provide her with the best possible learning conditions.
“Malika has received adapted educational materials – tablets, styluses, Braille paper – a white cane, a grant, as well as medical care and personalised social support. She also receives home tuition from an itinerant teacher who has been visiting her every week for almost three years and helps her with her homework. Thanks to all her efforts, Malika has made enormous progress at school and has distinguished herself among her classmates. She is now preparing for her primary school leaving certificate and I am confident about her performance. I hope she will pass with flying colours," says Alio Assoumane, who is in charge of inclusive education in Maradi for HI. His confidence was well-founded, as Malika did indeed obtain her certificate and has started Year 7 in October 2025.
Going to school has transformed Malika's life. The once shy girl has gained confidence and maturity. She has made friends with her classmates and plays with them. Above all, Malika has found her lessons to be a real source of motivation and inspiration. As her father, Moussa Yousouf, explains: "When she comes home from school, she immediately gets turns to her homework and revision. School has made a big difference to her life: everything she says, she's learnt there. Nowadays, she's really focused on her studies."
For her mother, Halima Salissou, school has had another benefit: "Before she started school, Malika had serious vision problems. But thanks to school and all her hard work, her vision is improving."
A young girl determined to seize the future with both hands
Malika is studious and serious and works very hard in class. Her teacher, Ms Rahila Issoufou, is very pleased with her work: "Malika really gives her all. She wants to work hard and always be top of her class. She is interested in everything, works hard in class, reads well, solves her maths exercises quickly and always finds the right answer. I am very proud to have her among my students." Mahamane Hamissou, a blind teacher who also follows Malika's progress, adds: "She does things that are far beyond her age. For example, when it comes to writing Braille or memorising different sequences, her work is truly impeccable."
However, one thing has not changed in her over the last four years: her dream. As Malika herself concludes with a bright smile: "My greatest wish is to become a teacher."
Since its launch in 2017, HI's inclusive education project in Maradi has provided more than 25 schools with adapted teaching and learning materials, identified 177 children with disabilities for personalised support, and trained 187 teachers in inclusive education, sign language and Braille. In addition, more than 30,800 parents and community members have been sensitised and trained on disability and inclusive education.
