Child protection and education in Diffa

Case Study: SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz

Maman Sani in class activities.

My name is Maman Sani, I am 9 years old. I am in N'guel Madou Mai primary school second year. To be happy I need to play with my friends. I feel good when I'm in class with my friends and my aunt who is now my teacher. Last year I didn't go to school often, so these people in the car (SOS agents) talked with my mother who finally let me shift to my aunt's house who is a teacher (for a better follow up). Since then, I have been regular at school because she is my class teacher. In addition, SOS agents often bring us school supplies (pens, notebooks, books). At school my favorite activity is mathematics, at break time I play race chase with my classmates and at home I repeat calculations...The most important people in my environment are my aunt, my mother and my brothers because I am always with them. My family represents people I love and the elders who take care of me. In addition, I have a best friend. His name is Mohamed. We often come to school together and even at home we meet to play. When I need help I often refer to my aunt or my mother when I am with her. These two always help me.

Maman in class activities.

Photo: Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou/SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz/Fairpicture

Brief

This collaboration between SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz and Fairpicture focuses on documenting the impact of family-strengthening programs in Diffa, Niger, a region significantly affected by conflict and displacement.

Through photography and videography, Fairpicture visual creator Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou aimed to highlight how SOS supports child protection systems, strengthens education, and empowers families to create a protective environment for children and youth.

Deliverables include more than 70 high-quality photos and 4 short video clips, capturing daily life, educational opportunities, and personal testimonials about life and bonds. This ethically produced content will support SOS’s 2024 communication efforts, providing insights for donor publications and digital channels.

Client

SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz

Visual Creator

Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou

Theme

Child protection and education

Locations

Diffa, Niger

Date

March 2024

Context

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world. At the same time, it has the youngest population in the world: a good half of its inhabitants are under 14 years of age. This is also a great opportunity: with better school and vocational training, young people can break out of the cycle of poverty and contribute to the development of the country.

Fairpicture visual creator Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou visited the work of SOS Switzerland in Diffa which is located in the south-east of the country and therefore in an area that is particularly affected by armed attacks. Abdoul-Rafik documented the family strengthening program and made it visible and understandable in photos and concise videos by connecting with children, mothers and youth testimonials and their daily lives and how they are supported by SOS.

Photo: Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou/SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz/Fairpicture

Context

Woman working with electrical tools, at CFM training center on workshop.

Tania at CFM training center on workshop. "Previously, I was unemployed but I already had a great passion for welding. SOS, through its family strengthening program registered me at the professional training center. Since, I kept learning"

Photo: Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou/SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz/Fairpicture

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Maman Sani in class activities with his teacher who is also his aunt.

My name is Maman Sani, I am 9 years old. I am in N'guel Madou Mai primary school second year. To be happy I need to play with my friends. I feel good when I'm in class with my friends and my aunt who is now my teacher. Last year I didn't go to school often, so these people in the car (SOS agents) talked with my mother who finally let me shift to my aunt's house who is a teacher (for a better follow up). Since then, I have been regular at school because she is my class teacher. In addition, SOS agents often bring us school supplies (pens, notebooks, books). At school my favorite activity is mathematics, at break time I play race chase with my classmates and at home I repeat calculations...The most important people in my environment are my aunt, my mother and my brothers because I am always with them. My family represents people I love and the elders who take care of me. In addition, I have a best friend. His name is Mohamed. We often come to school together and even at home we meet to play. When I need help I often refer to my aunt or my mother when I am with her. These two always help me.

Maman in class activities with his teacher who is also his aunt.

Photo: Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou/SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz/Fairpicture

Portrait of Maman

Maman is a 9 years old student beneficiary of the SOS Family Strengthening Program. He was Brought by SOS to live with his aunt who is a teacher for a better follow up at school.

Video: Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou/SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz/Fairpicture

Child protection and education in Diffa_Fairpicture_Child protection systems 1

Portrait of Aissata, a Child protection Committee member.

Photo: Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou/SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz/Fairpicture

The cooperation with Abdoul-Rafik and Fairpicture has been crucial to make our work in Diffa, one of our especially challenging and remote, but at the same time extremely important projects, visible for our donors. It has been very rewarding to learn from our program participants directly and make their voices being heard here, too.

David Becker
Content Manager, SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz

Ramatou with the members of the saving association at their weekly meeting.

My name is Ramatou Hassan, I am the president of our girls savings association in the Maloumdi district. To be happy I need tranquility, security and stability. To be pleasant life must be lived fully in a fulfilled way. Fulfillment is very important to me, living with my parents in the same house, seeing their smile makes me very happy. Previously, several structures brought us assistance of all kinds but the contribution of SOS was really different. They focused on sensitization but mostly on making us aware of our rights, and potential opportunities. They helped us set up a savings group composed of 15 young girls. We contribute up to 150f per week. The 100f are gathered to constitute a business that will be allocated to one of us. When the chosen girl succeeds in her activity, she will refund the money borrowed. The accumulation of the 50f is used to cover the small needs of the group. This is not refundable. Personally, my favorite activity is sewing. I have already completed the training but due to the lack of means I am yet to open my own shop...The people I love the most are obviously my parents. For me, the family represents a pillar on which the human being can rely. I have a best friend with whom I grew up. She remains among the rarest person I can communicate openly with. She advises and guides me when I need it. However, when I have serious need or business, the one I turn to is my mother.

Members of the girls savings association in the Maloumdi district at their weekly meeting.

Photo: Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou/SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz/Fairpicture

The collaboration with David through Fairpicture in Diffa was a unique experience. Both were very communicative. This made it easier to work both on field and during post-production. Moreover, I had the pleasure of rediscovering a resilient program which, in a surge of solidarity brings with it all sections of the society for sustainable development.

Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou
Fairpicture Visual Creator

Maman Sani with his friends on their way to school.

My name is Maman Sani, I am 9 years old. I am in N'guel Madou Mai primary school second year. To be happy I need to play with my friends. I feel good when I'm in class with my friends and my aunt who is now my teacher. Last year I didn't go to school often, so these people in the car (SOS agents) talked with my mother who finally let me shift to my aunt's house who is a teacher (for a better follow up). Since then, I have been regular at school because she is my class teacher. In addition, SOS agents often bring us school supplies (pens, notebooks, books). At school my favorite activity is mathematics, at break time I play race chase with my classmates and at home I repeat calculations...The most important people in my environment are my aunt, my mother and my brothers because I am always with them. My family represents people I love and the elders who take care of me. In addition, I have a best friend. His name is Mohamed. We often come to school together and even at home we meet to play. When I need help I often refer to my aunt or my mother when I am with her. These two always help me.

Outcome

SOS-Switzerland received 4 fully produced video clips as well as the raw-video-footage and 70 high quality photos with quotes and elaborated descriptions in the metadata, which showcase how children's aid organization supports family strengthening programs in Diffa and are now used in the clients donor magazine, their social media channels, newsletter, blog and website.

Maman with his friends on their way to school.

Photo: Abdoul-Rafik Gaïssa Chaïbou/SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz/Fairpicture

Outcome

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