“Olivia is an inspiring example of everything Action Through Enterprise stands for. From hungry schoolgirl to thriving senior high school student to becoming our new library intern in Lawra, Olivia shows that with the right support and personal determination, great things can be achieved.” Sarah Annable-Gardner, Chief Executive, Action Through Enterprise
We first met Olivia Saa back in 2017, when we began supporting Biro Junior High School. Olivia was one of just 12 pupils at this most remote school, where children were hungry and books were scarce. But that soon changed.
“When I was at Biro JHS,” Olivia remembers, “this wonderful team called ATE came in with their amazing support. Before, we were not always regularly in school, because of the hunger. And if we were in school and were hungry, we’d just get up and go home. But because of the food they provided for us, and the text books, it helped us to stay in school and also learn hard. Today, I find myself in their team as one of their workers, and I am very proud about that.”
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- With her sister Agnes
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- Lunch at Biro
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- Results day!
It’s been a tough journey for Olivia. The eldest of eight (five brothers, two sisters), her parents were subsistence farmers in Biro, one of the poorest villages in Lawra District. Without support, Olivia would have struggled to attend senior high school – but ATE was able to provide everything she (and 28 other girls) needed. Chop boxes, mattresses, books, sanitary pads were bought, through a pilot project we’d love to replicate, if we get the funding.
“When I was about to go to senior high school, ATE bought our provisions, everything we needed, and it always make us proud to go to school. Without this support, I would have really struggled. With it, our minds were always stable and focused on the books.”
Having enjoyed her studies in home economics, reality hit in 2023 for newly-graduated Olivia. She ended up back at home in Biro, unsure how to escape a life of hand-to-mouth farming and supporting her recently widowed mother. Then, hope…
“After SHS, I was in the house doing nothing. I wanted to become a nurse but I couldn’t because of the financial issue, I couldn’t afford university. Then I heard about the ATE job from a friend and because I am interested in working with children, I applied. “
Olivia was invited to the Inclusion Centre for an interview and practical exercise with the team – and impressed them so much they created a new role for her as Library Intern, to support the new Library Assistant, Blandina Baku.
“I was so happy when Kaamil called to offer me this opportunity. The first person I told was my mum and she was very glad. My brothers and sisters are all really proud and will put on their best effort now too.’
Olivia isn’t just a role model to her younger siblings, she’s also an inspiration to the seventy-three pupils now at a thriving Biro Junior High School – and to the dozens of children who are pouring into the Inclusion Centre to enjoy the new library.
“I love working with children and helping them learn to read. I enjoy it, the children are really enjoying it, and it improves their literacy.”
We are so proud of Olivia and everything she has achieved. She is already one of Action Through Enterprise’s success stories – and we can’t wait to see what does with this exciting new opportunity!
You can read another inspiring story about Olivia in 2020 here.