More than a decade ago, and every year since then, thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa®, we have been able to ensure that hundreds of children and youth in the impoverished sub-Saharan African country of the Republic of Chad have the opportunity to realize their fondest wish – attend school, graduate, and embark on a successful adulthood.
In September 2015, Hope International Foundation (HIF) founding president Esther Ndichafah approached Bread and Water for Africa® executive director Beth Tessema for grant funding for a program she titled: “Guaranteeing a successful future for orphans, needy and persecuted children in local communities through educational sponsorship.”
Located in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Esther requested a grant of $2,000 to pay the school fees for students in the country and told Beth, “in the Republic of Chad in Lolo Village, we look forward to extending it.”
The objectives of the program, Esther said, were “giving the underprivileged the same opportunities to be educated like others, creating the same opportunities for the underprivileged to be successful and fulfilled like others, and leading poor children into established self-reliant individuals.”
Between the two countries, Esther expected that the $2,000 grant would benefit a total of 215 students, including 126 girls and 89 boys, with the funding to pay their tuition, cover exams costs, purchase stationery, and provide mandatory school uniforms.
Ten years later in August 2025, Esther once again requested – and received – grant funding for the Chad School Support Program for the 2025-2026 academic year to provide full scholarships, covering tuition, exam fees and uniforms, for 296 orphans and destitute children and youth (152 girls and 144 boys) aged 5 to 21 across more than local communities enrolled in more than 25 educational institutions.
“This year marks the 13th consecutive year of the project, demonstrating its long-term commitment to creating pathways for educated and self-reliant young Chadian girls and boys, in a country where access to education is limited, and access to quality education is even more challenging,” she stated.
She added that “the success of the program is evident,” noting that three of the students who had completed their secondary school education thanks to the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® had recently graduated from university, “showcasing the tangible impact of sustained support.”
The program, comments Esther, “supports children’s academic success and personal development, creating a pathway for educated, self-reliant young Chadians who can contribute positively to their communities.”
In June, Esther reported that the program reduced the number of school dropouts due to an inability to pay school fees “and restored hope for vulnerable families,” while continuing HIF’s long-term goal of building educated, self-reliant young people in Chad.
And the outcome for this academic year was nothing but remarkable as nearly 300 students remained in school and were able to continue their studies without fear of being turned away, their families “experienced significant financial relief,” school retention and student attendance improved, strong partnerships with schools and local communities were reinforced, and most importantly “children maintained hope for higher education and future employment.
“Our greatest accomplishment this year has been witnessing the long-term impact of more than a decade of investment in vulnerable children's education in Chad.
“Three of our former scholarship beneficiaries successfully completed their university training and graduated in Midwifery, Nursing, and Nutrition, respectively.
“Their achievements represent a major milestone for the Chad School Support Program, demonstrating that sustained educational support can transform the lives of vulnerable children into skilled professionals who are now equipped to serve their communities.
“In addition, we are encouraged that another long-term beneficiary is currently pursuing university studies in Yaoundé.”
Over the years, the school fees program in Chad has benefited thousands of students, enabling them not only to continue and complete their education but also to lead successful lives into adulthood.
The following story highlights one of those on that path today … his name is Joel Riallah, the only one of five children in his family who has had the opportunity to attend school.
Transforming Lives Through Education: Joel Riallah's Journey
After completing his secondary school education, Joel was accepted into the Institut Universitaire Catholique Saint Thérèse de Yaoundé (INUCASTY).
“After my baccalaureate, I decided to come and join my cousin, who was a student here in Cameroon, because the schooling conditions in my country [Chad] were not favorable,” Joel told us.
He explained that he had initially chosen a state university; however, it turned out it did not offer the courses he wanted to study.
At that time, he was unsure of what he would do, but thanks to Esther’s help, “I was able to find a good school where I could study my chosen course.”
Today, Joel is a Level 2 student working as an intern at the hospital operated by HIF in Douala (a project sponsored by Bread and Water for Africa®) as a store assistant to fulfill the requirements for his progression to Level 3 in order to obtain his bachelor’s degree.
“Your commitment and your kindness have had a significant impact on me, and I will never forget your invaluable help,” Joel told us.
“I express my sincere gratitude to you and hope to be able, in turn, to show my appreciation one day.
“May God bless you. Thank you so much once again.”
To those generous individuals who make the Chad school fees program possible, Esther wants them to know, “Your support is transforming the lives of vulnerable children in Chad by giving them access to education and hope for a better future.
“Continuing to support children through this program this year represents another step toward creating more inspiring success stories and lasting change in these communities we serve in Chad, which directly affect children from either poor or extremely poor households who, without this support, most of them stand no chance of ever going to school.”
“We remain deeply grateful for our partnership with Bread and Water for Africa®.
