ACFA has some exciting news! Recently, four of the older ACFA girls have received scholarships from Kickoff Solutions. Kickoff Solutions is a nonprofit that works with organizations and nonprofits to give disadvantaged girls the opportunity to play sports, with the goal to empower these girls by cultivating leadership skills and confidence building. A Child For All was blessed with four individual scholarships for Astan, Awa, Diakassan, and Kadidiatou! These scholarships will help pay for resources so the girls can continue playing sports including transportation to training and competitions, equipment, lessons, and sports clothing. We are so grateful for the scholarships and the opportunities they will give to Astan, Awa, Diakassan, and Kadidiatou. Kickoff Solutions also provides mentoring to the girls, and the first mentoring session already took place via Zoom.

Before receiving the scholarships, the girls were asked to write something about themselves. Originally, Kickoff Solutions was to provide scholarships to just two ACFA girls. After reading the statements of four of the girls, Kickoff Solutions agreed to provide all four with scholarships. Read more about their stories and essays below!

**From left to right: Diaskassan, Awa, Kadidatou and Astan**

Astan is a 14-year-old girl who came to ACFA when she was only four years old. Astan is currently practicing taekwondo and fencing. Although she doesn’t know her parents, she wrote how she was inspired by her own story to want to become a mid-wife or a nurse in order to help others.

At 15 years old, Awa speaks about her experience as coming from a very poor background. She remembers how her parents did not have enough money to buy her food and clothes let alone nice toys. However, when she arrived at ACFA, she was given a safe home and a loving environment. Now, she competitively plays basketball and dreams of becoming a journalist helping children in need around the world.

Diakassan, our 17-year-old national and international competitor in fencing (and gold medal winner), recalls her time living hungry and worried about meeting basic needs. After she came to ACFA, she says the absence of worries about food and shelter allow her to focus on what she truly loves. One day she hopes to open her own business and fund sports facilities for other children like her.

Finally, Kadidiatou is 15 years old. She grew up around wealthy families despite being poor herself. A part of ACFA now and involved in many sports like fencing and taekwondo, she has the drive to succeed in her studies ever year! One day, she dreams of becoming a doctor, opening her own medical practice, and lifting her own family out of poverty.

These scholarships will contribute to our girls fulfilling their dreams. Thank you Kickoff Solutions!

Learn more about KickOff Solutions by viewing their website here.