Oliva*, 11, Madagascar
11-year-old Oliva* from Madagascar had her education interrupted by a cyclone.
Dear leaders,
My name is Oliva*. I’m 11 years old and I’m currently in class 7 at the public primary school near our home. I live with my grandma, dad, brothers and sisters. My dad can't support us because he’s ill, so my grandma helps us with everyday life. She sells breadfruit. The cyclone destroyed our life: our house, school, school supplies and farming. There’s no more breadfruit to sell. That's why my grandma had to borrow money to help us (for school and food). I love geography and calculus at school and I want to be a teacher when I’m older.
Outside of school, every Saturday and Sunday morning I spend time playing hopscotch and katro with my friends. I thank the donors for the school kits, because my supplies got wet, and now I’m motivated to go to school. Not just for that, but also for giving us money, because it meant my grandma was able to pay our debts and our school fees and buy us food.
I’ve dreamed of being a teacher since I was little because I want to help children develop their potential. It’ll also let me help my family provide for their needs because we’re poor. I’m aware that education is the only way I can succeed. For my dream to come true, I have to finish my studies. For this, I need school supplies, school meals so that I can eat healthily, and help so that my parents can have work to support us. Thank you for helping young girls like me.
Oliva*, 11 years old, Madagascar
*Name changed for privacy purposes.