Education is the road that leads to success and better life for millions of women around the world, but only a small percentage of women walk this path not because they are hesitant to begin a trip but simply because there are no roads in their home-town. In many developing nations women are deprived of the fundamental right to be treated as equals not because they are ignorant but simply because they do not have the same opportunities to succeed like men.
Jacqueline Audige, a big-hearted lady, says she has always dreamt of enriching the lives of women in her country Cameroon and around Africa. With her Project Aumazo, a school for rural Cameroonian girls, she is slowly but surely working her way along this path to make it a success at every step. I had the opportunity to meet and talk to Jacqueline in detail about her pet project and what it meant to her. She began the talk with a clear statement “This is my calling – this project comes from my heart.” It was interesting to watch her unfold her thoughts about the project and how she hopes to gather support to make the project a success. Aumazo’s mission says Jacqueline “is to empower girls through education and ensure that they are given the opportunities to succeed in life by the time they leave school.”
Vidya: Can you give us a brief background of educational opportunities in Cameroon? How was your experience of “dropping out of high school” instrumental in your beginning Project Aumazo?
Jacqueline: Cameroon, a former British and French colony, is slightly larger than California. Bankondji, where the school is being built, is in the West Province of Cameroon the home of the enterprising Bamileke tribes. In Cameroon, the completion rate at the middle school level is higher than that of at high school level, especially for girls. Only 29% will go on to complete secondary education. Middle schools in rural communities are fully supported by parents as well as teacher’s salary; “sometimes the teachers themselves are hired by parents.” To continue their education after graduating from middle school, children in rural communities are forced to move to the urban areas. Many, students dropout because these schools are far away from their hometowns and there is usually no financial or emotional support available. Parents in rural communities have no real fixed income and, as a result, are unable to financially support their children once they move away. Families count on the revenues generated by the sale of their crops to buy stuff. I have personally once walked in their shoes, and I know how difficult relocation can be. I am determined to provide girls in rural communities with quality education, hence preventing high dropout rates and relocation.
Vidya: After moving to the United States, you have pursued education to the highest level. How did you manage this? Was it difficult?
Jacqueline: “Everything is doable, if one sets her/his mind on it. Planning and knowing one’s limit, scheduling properly and knowing oneself are very important.” Although I dropped out of high school for lack of financial support, I was fortunate to have moved to the United States, where I was able to go back and complete my education. “I seized the opportunity to finish an unfinished business” I was motivated enough to pursue higher education, despite my full time job as a mother of five children. I successfully completed my Bachelor’s degree in Marketing at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland College Park. Subsequently, I also got my Master’s degree in International Education from the same university. I have this rare skill of “making things look easy, even when they are not.” The path towards my personal educational endeavor has been difficult, but I did it.
Vidya: Do you strongly believe that education does empower the woman of tomorrow? Is that why project Aumazo believes in providing secondary education for rural Cameroonian girls?
Jacqueline: Education certainly empowers women. But the sad truth is that rural girls and women are deprived of their rights due to a lack of the knowledge of the existing laws that protect the rights of women. Raising their awareness on the existence of these laws is imperative. When girls learn how to read and write, they know what their rights are and can go places. Most importantly, they will learn to say “no” and mean it. They will be able to overcome their fears. They will surely change their outlook in life once educated. All they require is quality and relevant education. Given that I am from the same culture, my background predisposes me to carry forward this project and provide rural girls in Cameroon with this infrastructure
Vidya: Can you elaborate what has been going on with Project Aumazo in the last year? Could you also give us a brief history of the project?
Jacqueline: The project involves the construction of a boarding school. The school is currently under construction. The foundation of both the dormitory and the school has been laid, and the walls will soon be coming up. Both are being built with bricks and clay, and will have 8 rooms each. Fifty girls will be admitted in school the first year. The board of Directors and I are projecting to open the school by fall 2009. Also, Aumazo is expanding its board of directors to undertake the fundraising activities and raise the necessary amount of money we need to complete the school construction. The project had a good start, but now it is stalled because of lack of funds, and we need people’s help to raise sufficient funds required to complete the final phase of the construction. When completed, the school will provide the girls with great educational opportunities.
Vidya: How do you find time to juggle family life and public service?
Jacqueline: My family contributes a lot to my social endeavor. I have set priorities both for my family and myself. We all have to make sacrifices though! My family knows that “I am there for them, and they are looking for ways to give back to Mommy”. To be successful in any endeavor it is necessary to be disciplined. “One needs to plan and prioritize.” Nothing works when one does not prioritize. One must be sure of oneself and must be sure of what one wants to achieve. “I had to give up the power of my privacy for the sake of the project,” but it is worthy.
Vidya: Giving back to the community is a noble virtue that we all want to follow at some point in our life, though many of us may want to give back, not all of us succeed in doing so. What helped you take that first step towards giving back to the community from which you came?
Jacqueline: Project Aumazo was inspired by my personal experiences. It was my father’s dream that I completed my high school education. Although both my parents were illiterate, my father always wanted me to get higher education. Given that I was unable to fulfill this dream during his lifetime, I had pursued higher studies and completed my master’s degree in International Education. My father’s dream for me stirred my desire to go back and make that dream happen to others who are still struggling in the community. I want to empower rural Cameroonian girls through quality high school education. “My vision of the project is to change the landscape of non-profit endeavor towards girls’ education in Africa.”
Vidya: Isn’t there a sense of fulfillment that comes from doing social service? What would you like to tell other women who want to help their community?
Jacqueline: “Project Aumazo has been quite a challenge, nevertheless a fantastic experience.” When a project is done out of love, it is no more burdensome. When one knows that what she/he is doing will changes lives, it brings good satisfaction and happiness and a great sense of fulfillment. Once one has identified one’s aim, she/he needs to follow hers/his passion and cut out the “noise” that tries to de-motivate them. I have not started the project as an initiative to include in my resume, but I did it out of love and care and the reward, despite the challenges, is “the smile on people’s faces in Bankondji.” To all the women who want to help their community, I wish to remind them that “they need to find their passion and make it happen, be it small or big.”
Vidya: What are your plans for the project in future? What do you hope to achieve ultimately?
Jacqueline: The construction foundations of both the school building and the dormitory were completed in October 2007. We stopped the construction work for lack of funds. The entire project covers an area of 1200 sq. meters including a computer room, a library and a gymnasium. It is a major project. It has “exceeded my expectations” and I need a lot of help financially to complete it. Unable to retain the construction workers, I have laid them off and hope to rehire them soon. “This project has been a real marathon, I am close to the finished line and do not wish to give up now.”
Vidya: Is there a message for Mosaic readers—do you wish to tell them anything specific?
Jacqueline: Our slogan is as follows, “Education is power and knowledge is the key.” I can attest to it because I got an education myself. And before I did, I knew a lot, but I was unable to convey my message in a constructive manner. It was frustrating not to be understood. I want to pass on the educational torch to the younger generation. I believe that “If all women in the world decide to become friends and shared their hopes and fears, happiness will be achieved –we will then be able to walk hands in hand” and bring about much needed changes in our society.”
Vidya Rangan