Transforming Lives Through Education: Joel Riallah’s Journey

Friday, September 4, 2026

Joel Riallah is a student from Chad who has been sponsored for many years through the Bread and Water for Africa® School Fee Support Program, managed by the Hope International Foundation (HIF). He shared with us that after completing his secondary education, he 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 what to do, but thanks to Esther’s [FIH founder and director] 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 Hope International Foundation in Douala (a project sponsored by Bread and Water for Africa®) to fulfill the requirements for his progression to Level 3 and 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 [Bread and Water for Africa®] and hope [HIF] 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®.

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