Fifteen-year-old Ramatu, like many of her peers in rural northern Ghana, believed traveling to southern Ghana to work as a “kayaye” (head porter) would be more rewarding than staying in school. Living with her single father, life at home was tough and she felt she needed to abandon her dreams of becoming a nurse in order to work and help make ends meet.
She decided to travel to Ghana’s capital, Accra to try and earn money, despite knowing the risks and challenges of life as a kayaye—such as sleeping in the open, facing potential assault, and struggling to find food.
The turning point came when AfriKids engaged with the local chief and key stakeholders in her community. The chief urged parents across the community to bring their children back from Accra and re-enroll them in school. Ramatu, who had just returned home and was planning another trip to Accra, heeded this advice and decided to return to school instead.
Although she had to take retake a year at school to catch up, Ramatu remained determined. She joined the new Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) club that AfriKids had set up in her school, and was elected president by her peers. This role gave her a sense of purpose and belonging, further discouraging her from dropping out of school.
Ramatu says: “I no longer want to go back to kayaye because of the suffering there,” she said. “Being part of AfriKids’ club has given me hope, and I want to help my colleagues. As the President of the SRHR club, I am learning a lot and I believe staying in school will move me forward, not backward.”
Ramatu’s story highlights the impact of community support in keeping girls in school and helping them achieve their dreams.