Through this program, girls who might otherwise drop out of school to search for urban street jobs, like carrying loads, are given vital support to continue on with their education.

BaBa Blankets™ began the Stay-In-School Tuition Assistance (SISTA) Program to help girls from Ghana’s rural northern areas complete their secondary school education (high school). We’ve found that an overwhelming number of these girls can’t afford to attend beyond the junior secondary school level (middle school). Today, there are tens of thousands of these northern girls in Ghana’s urban centers, searching for menial jobs such as load carrying. Without the opportunities that a formal education offers, the cycle of poverty is destined to continue for them and their families.

We select our SISTA Scholars based on the courageous academic drive and personal vision that inspires them to excel through their current circumstances. We believe that this educational support will help empower these amazing young women to manifest even more of their own greatness, as well as that within their own communities.

Here are some of our current SISTA Scholars, their stories and appreciations.

“Please, I want to thank you so much for paying my admission fees . . . . Without education I am useless and I hope you will never ever let me down but rather make me high. I extend my greetings to all BaBa Blankets members.” 

Mercy Atogyange

1st year student at Zurangu Secondary School (2007-2008 BaBa Blankets™ SISTA Scholar)

When Mercy and her mother could not find the money to pay the fees for her to attend secondary school (i.e., SS or high school), Mercy decided to repeat all three years of her junior secondary school (i.e., JSS or middle school). After all, JSS was practically free and she figured that it was better for her to stay in school somewhere, even if it meant repeating grades that she’d already successfully graduated. Mercy had stayed in close contact with one of her primary school teachers who had since begun teaching at the JSS level in a nearby town. She pleaded her case with her old teacher and he persuaded the school to accept Mercy for another round.

It didn’t seem to matter to Mercy that this school was quite a distance from her village compound. Every day, she walked three hours to school and three hours home. Three years later, she graduated from JSS for the second time around. Mercy easily passed the admission exams and received another coveted placement at a local area secondary school. Unfortunately, the dire financial situation of she and her widowed mother had not changed at all. There was still no money for her school fees. Mercy’s JSS teachers went to the secondary school and begged them to allow her to start classes while they searched for the money to cover her fees. We met Mercy just before she was due to be expelled from secondary school for non-payment. She told us that she wants to be a “future leader” to help other poor students to attend school. We asked her how she’d never given up on her dream of education and she explained that she’s always believed that she could “suffer and gain.”

“This is not just an ordinary “thank you” note. It is given as a special appreciation filled with thanks and gratitude, and it holds the same good feelings that you gave me . . . you made me feel cared about and that is one of the most important feelings in the world . . . . I am grateful that you were there for me.”

Rosemond Atinga

3rd year student at Bolgatanga Girls’ Secondary School (2007-2008 BaBa Blankets™ SISTA Scholar)

It took Rosemond and her father about 10 hours to walk from their small village to the boarding school where she’d been accepted. The walk was 15 miles and they could have gotten there faster if they didn’t have to stop so many times along the way. Both Rosemond and her father were quite ill on the walk but they were just determined to get her into those school gates on time. Rosemond arrived carrying only a small plastic bag with just one pair of slippers inside. Somehow she hadn’t allowed the school’s laundry list of required items to intimidate her. Her family had no way of buying her the necessary mattress, notebooks, buckets, toiletries, recreational clothes or other schooling essentials. So, she just showed up, sick, empty handed but completely unwavering in her commitment to attend.

The school officials were shocked but they couldn’t help but feel a wave of compassion towards Rosemond. They organized among themselves to get her the bare essentials items that she might need. Rosemond’s family pleaded with people in the community to help raise the money for her fees. Through the love and support of many, Rosemond has been able to stay in school. We met Rosemond in her 3rd year at Bolgatanga Girls’ Secondary School. She said that she never considered dropping out because of her parents’ poverty. She explained that if she didn’t get an education then she knew that she too “would remain poor.” Instead, Rosemond plans to advance in her education and one day become a nurse.

“I would like to say that what you have done {for} us is not just for nothing but we will also try to learn harder toward academic work which will help us to achieve our aim in future which will bring about development progress.”

Janet Akatime

1st year student at Bolgatanga Girls’ Secondary School (2007-2008 BaBa Blankets™ SISTA Scholar)

Janet grew up with both of her parents and as the youngest of three children. Neither her father nor mother, nor her older brother or sister ever went to school. Her parents are subsistence farmers. This means that their farm manages to supply just enough food for the family to eat. Janet’s parents may not have understood the value of education and her siblings were not able to find enough money to attend. Even in a family with no educational background, Janet found within herself a burning desire to get her education. She was very young when she announced to her parents that she wanted to go to school. They supported her whole-heartedly. It had become obvious to them that without any schooling, her older siblings were destined to the same poverty that her parents had known all their lives. Janet had decided that she wanted something different and her parents were ready to oblige.

Up until secondary school, Janet’s family had very little problems paying the small testing fees required along the way. When Janet finally received her first choice acceptance to secondary school, her family was faced with a very different scenario. The price tag for Janet to continue her education would require them to sell off large portions of the food that the family needed to survive throughout the year. At that point, Janet’s family made a courageous choice. They decided to sell the bulk of food from their farm to pay for her fees. They would just go without. Janet’s parents told her that they preferred to go hungry so that they could see her continue on in school.

Janet often worries about her family and she knows that she is their one big hope. Her dream is to one day become a teacher.

“I am so happy that I can’t even finish thanking you until thy kingdom come. I also pray that God will bless you and you will be able to take care of we those who are needy so that we will be able to provide our needs to further our education. I hope that I will also improve upon my academic work so that the money given to me will not be wasted but will help me to achieve my goal.” 

Charity Abongo

1st year student at Bolgatanga Girls’ Secondary School (2007-2008 BaBa Blankets™ SISTA Scholar)

“I was in class when Madam Beatrice called me and gave me a letter with SISTA Award attached to it. When I opened the letter to my surprise I saw money! In fact, I was very joyful all over the day.”

Stellah Bagna

1st Year Student at Bolgatanga Girls’ Secondary School (2007-2008 BaBa Blankets™ SISTA Scholar)

“I am very glad to write you this special letter. I am very happy with the things and the money I received from you. Thank you.”

Eunice Alentra

1st Year Student at Bolgatanga Girls’ Secondary School (2007-2008 BaBa Blankets™ SISTA Scholar)