Assalamu alaykum!

I am raising donations for a primary school in Gouré, Niger, on behalf of the school principal, Ibrahim Habou. Currently, three classes of 50 students each have NO proper classrooms.

During a trip my husband made to Gouré - the hometown of my in-laws - in February 2025, a personal connection with the school was established. What started as “maybe we can raise a few hundred euros for school books” quickly turned into a private fundraising effort, bringing in over €3,200 within just a few days.

With that support, kindergarten rooms were created, books were purchased for the entire school (shared between three children per book), and some of the severely worn-out school benches were repaired.

We experienced Mr. Habou and the teachers as highly dedicated, reliable, and humble.

With the start of the new school year, the number of students has increased, and the already temporary classrooms made of branches and leaves are now barely usable. Mr. Habou approached us with a modest request of about €150 to restore these “structures” using the same materials—despite the fact that they do not provide a proper foundation for learning.

Not to mention the complete lack of comfort or child-friendly facilities.

Too many children are forced to beg out of necessity instead of attending school.

Niger has a very young population and a high population growth rate. Despite all efforts, government support is extremely limited—often not even enough to properly pay teachers.

And yet, every single child is fought for. Mr. Habou contributes from his own salary, and so do the parents.

However, to build permanent structures that enable real learning for generations—including desks and seating for all children (4 children per bench)—he would need approximately:

At least €12,000 (for construction using clay and some more modern materials) up to €14,500 (for construction entirely with modern materials, offering the best protection against weather conditions).

An unimaginable amount considering the average monthly income in Niger is around €64.

This is why we are launching this fundraising initiative. No intermediaries. No “hopefully it arrives.”

All donations go directly from me to Mr. Habou, who sends me photos and videos as proof. So far, he has proven to be a very reliable partner who acts quickly and responsibly.

All construction work will be carried out by local residents, which also supports the regional economy—no external companies involved.

The only costs deducted from the total donations are bank transfer fees and the cost of collecting the funds locally (the nearest bank is a 2–3 hour bus ride from Gouré).

This donation has the power to change generations—and to grant the donor a reward that extends far beyond this life.

It creates not just a place to learn, but a place where children can go with joy, feel valued, and begin a life their parents are currently unable to provide.