Niamey, August 13, 2026 – Mr. Hassane Saidou, Secretary General of the Ministry of National Education, Literacy and Promotion of National Languages, officially launched the DREPAPOUSS project on Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The launch event, held at the Hôtel Noom in Niamey, aims to support children living with sickle cell disease. Implemented by the NGO P’tit Pouss, the DREPAPOUSS project seeks to equip learners with educational tablets and provide training on their usage. Project goals include improving the quality of life and education for patients, alongside raising awareness about sickle cell disease. The full initiative represents a significant step towards ensuring educational continuity for vulnerable students in Niger.
Addressing Educational Gaps
Mr. Hassane Saidou affirmed that the school system must not marginalize students because of their health status. He emphasized the Ministry's commitment to creating an inclusive learning environment for all children, regardless of their physical condition. Recurrent and unpredictable crises associated with sickle cell disease often lead to prolonged absences from school, posing significant challenges to a child's academic progress. These unpredictable hospitalizations and repeated school absences are particularly disruptive during critical exam periods for affected children, often resulting in them falling behind their peers. The DREPAPOUSS project, therefore, aligns directly with the Ministry of National Education's vision for quality, inclusive, equitable, and sustainable education, aiming to bridge these educational gaps.
Mr. Mounkaila Issaka Mossi, President of the Board of Directors of NGO P’tit Pouss-Niger, stated that his organization's mission is to ensure no child is deprived of the right to learn. He noted the innovative approach taken by the project to overcome the physical barriers that sickle cell disease often imposes on education. The digital educational platform was specifically designed to reach the child wherever they are, rather than requiring the child to be physically present at a school. This solution provides children with a tablet containing their entire school program, which can be used offline at home or in any location, offering unprecedented flexibility. A missed lesson can now be caught up even while a child is in a hospital bed, ensuring that a health crisis no longer automatically results in an educational delay. This proactive measure aims to empower students and their families to manage health challenges without sacrificing academic development.
Project Implementation and Support
The DREPAPOUSS project provides a techno-pedagogical solution, utilizing the P’tit Pouss digital educational platform on offline tablets. This setup allows each student with sickle cell disease to access structured courses and interactive exercises from their home or hospital, providing a consistent and accessible learning environment. The project directly benefits 115 students, for whom 115 digital tablets have been provided. These tablets are pre-loaded with educational content, enabling continuous learning even in areas with limited internet access. UNICEF generously offered 100 of these tablets, demonstrating international support for the initiative. The remaining 15 tablets were acquired through contributions from online good wills, reflecting a strong community response to the Call to Action campaign. The money transfer company Nita also contributed logistics to the initiative, facilitating the distribution and implementation process. Although 115 tablets were distributed initially, the project intends for these devices to serve over 300 children over the next three years, indicating a long-term commitment to expanding its reach. The collection of all 115 digital tablets was facilitated by a successful Call to Action campaign, which mobilized essential resources and drew widespread support for the project's objectives.
Official Endorsement and Gratitude
Mr. Hassane Saidou expressed his profound gratitude to several organizations for their invaluable involvement in the DREPAPOUSS project. He specifically thanked NGO P’tit Pouss-Niger for its dedicated implementation efforts, which were key in bringing the project to fruition. Additionally, he acknowledged NGO DES for its significant contributions, which further bolstered the project's capacity. The Secretary General also recognized the essential support received from the Ministry of Health and the National Reference Center for Sickle Cell Disease, recognizing their key roles in addressing the health needs of children with sickle cell disease and ensuring the project's medical relevance. Their collaboration shows a multi-sectoral approach to improving the lives of affected children.
Additionally, Mr. Saidou extended his appreciation to the partners and donors who were mobilized through the successful Call to Action campaign. Their collective efforts and generous contributions were instrumental in acquiring the digital tablets and other resources necessary for the project's launch, demonstrating a broad commitment to improving the educational opportunities for affected children. The widespread support from various stakeholders notes the collaborative spirit driving the DREPAPOUSS project and its potential to make a lasting positive impact on the lives of children with sickle cell disease in Niger.