SIAF, SI Yaoundé – Fatoumata’s Story

My name is Fatoumata, ex-student of Ladybird High School Yaoundé. Ladybird is aimed at grooming leaders of integrity through outstanding moral standards and academic excellence. While in Ladybird, I was a member of the Youth leadership/HeForShe which are under the auspices of Soroptimist International Club-Yaoundé. Being a part of this maiden institution was one of the luckiest incidences that ever happened in my life. I have been transformed through the field of digitalisation and STEM imparted on me. Soroptimist International has been my support through their uncountable material and financial assistance to make me stand out in STEM related subjects.

Soroptimist International was always present in nearly all the gender equality related events (International Day of the Girl Child), 16 days of activism against gender-based violence and discrimination, International Women’s Day to encourage us. In one of those events, I played the role of a Civil Engineer where l encouraged other girls to embrace engineering careers. Being from a minority tribe, I was generally shy and could not always voice my opinion to others, but thanks to the encouragement and support from Soroptimist International and my coaches in Ladybird, I was able to express myself and I loved the experience. Since then, my self-esteem has been boosted which has encouraged me to follow my dreams. At the end of that event, I was awarded a prize as one of the outstanding female science students in Ladybird.

Thanks to Soroptimist International, I am now a more confident woman which has helped, and it is also helping other girls to believe in themselves in one way or the other. Today, I am studying Civil Engineering at the National Advanced School of Public Works.