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From poverty to hope... from discrimination to commitment

Mrs Rosalie Toure at a meeting of the Group of Mothers Catechists


Thérèse Arama (Ambassadress of the WWO)


Things can change, LS, §13


Rosalie Toure and her daughter Sia Claude, both Christians living in Mali, found themselves in a very precarious situation after being abandoned by the head of their family. Rosalie and her daughter were excluded from social life because of poverty, and no one was there to support them. To support her children, Rosalie struggled by doing various odd jobs to support her children, such as office cleaning and selling peanuts. Despite her difficult situation, she managed to enrol all her children in school, but only Sia Claude passed her baccalauréat with distinction, which would have enabled her to obtain a scholarship to go abroad. However, lacking the means to pay the required fees, she lost this opportunity.


The turning point in their lives came when Mrs Rosalie sought the help of Sister Thérèse, Director of Studies at the Catholic University. After consulting her community, Sister Thérèse asked the parents of wealthier students to pay Sia Claude's tuition fees for a degree in finance and accounting. In return, the mother agreed to buy the student's uniform, and Sister Thérèse took care of the transport and accompaniment of Sia Claude. Sia Claude's enrolment at university marked a decisive turning point for her and her mother.


One day, Sia Claude asked Sister Thérèse a fundamental question: "What do you want from me, and what gift can I give you? Sister Thérèse's answer was simple but powerful: "Fight to succeed in your studies, and when you've finished, help other girls in the same situation as you." In response, Sia Claude pledged to support three disadvantaged girls as soon as she earns her first salary.


Sia Claude finished her degree brilliantly, coming top of her class. Sister Thérèse continued to mobilise parents so that she could go on to do a Master's degree. Thanks to the program, Rosalie and Sia received psychological, spiritual and financial support, along with regular home visits. Little by little, their lives were transformed: they went from sadness to serenity and regained an active place in the community.


Today, Rosalie is involved in the mums' catechism group and helps to maintain the church, while Sia is still top of her class in finance and accounting at university. Their commitment and transformation are held up as examples in the community. Sia has even received an award for excellence, reinforcing the admiration that their journey has generated.


This experience shows the importance of spiritual guidance and attentive listening. As an ambassadress for the World Women´s Observatory (WWO), this story has taught me to combine faith with concrete action to help the most vulnerable people out of their precarious situation. My community is now more involved with families in need, offering them lasting support.

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