Child protection and education in Diffa

Case Study: SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz

A nine-year-old primary school student engages in classroom activities after overcoming irregular attendance the previous year. With support from SOS agents who provided essential school supplies and family members who helped improve his academic follow-up, he now regularly attends class and excels in mathematics.

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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A nine-year-old student participates in class activities with his teacher, who is also his aunt. After facing irregular school attendance the previous year, he relocated to his aunt’s home for better educational guidance following intervention from SOS agents, who also supply his learning materials.

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

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

The president of a 15-member girls' savings association in the Maloumdi district meets weekly with her group. Supported by SOS to recognize their rights and potential, the girls contribute weekly funds to finance individual member businesses and cover shared group needs.

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

A nine-year-old primary school student walks to school with his friends. After overcoming a history of irregular attendance with the help of family and school supplies provided by SOS agents, he now regularly commutes and attends his second-year classes.

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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