I was thirteen in 2008 when I moved to the United States. I had to learn English as I spoke only French as well as the tribal language of my community. I attended middle and high school in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and continued my education at the University of New Mexico (UNM), graduating in May 2018 with a degree in Business Administration with a focus in International Management. I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Business Administration at Grand Canyon University. While completing my education in the United States, I saw the disparity between education in the United States versus that of a small African village. Mogtedo is a small village near Ouagadougou with a population of 15,076. The Mogtedo School is the only school in the area with a 2,000-plus population. Approximately 318 students attend the school which has a student-to-teacher ratio of 60-75:1 per classroom. Students come from as far away as 35 miles to pursue an education in Mogtedo, with some students walking as long as an hour or more from their homes each morning and afternoon. Some students go to school without eating a meal until they arrive home after school at dinnertime. The government provides little to no support to village schools in the area, so parents must pay school fees for their child’s attendance. Many parents are unable to pay the fees and these students are forced to miss classes until the fee is fully paid.

In the summer of 2018, I made my first visit back to Africa to see my family in Ouagadougou. As I was preparing for my trip, I held a fundraiser to purchase soccer equipment for the Mogtedo School. When the school learned of our visit, and of the soccer balls we were donating, they held an end-of-year celebration, which included a soccer game so the children could play with their new soccer balls and jerseys. The community was invited to participate to support the children, and the celebration turned into an all-day affair. Afterward, I had the opportunity to speak with the school’s director, teachers, students, and parents. All expressed how grateful they were and how much they enjoyed the day. Teachers gave me a glimpse into their daily struggles to teach without government funds. This experience has inspired me to start the Thrive of Mogtedo Organization to support the school and the community where my extended family still lives. Part of my calling has always been to give back to the village where I grew up. The biggest need of the school is providing meals and school supplies for the children. Through providing these resources I hope to inspire children to further their education and pursue their God-given purpose and dreams.