WILGAMA is a bright and determined 13-year-old girl currently in the eighth grade at BGM High School, a well-respected institution known throughout central Haiti. She lives in the small village of Bonette, which is about a two-hour walk from her school. Every morning, Wilgama joins a group of other BGM students from her village to make the long journey on foot. High schoolers go to school from 1 to 5 at BGM High School, so together, they walk to school about mid-morning and return together in the evening after classes are done.
Wilgama lives with her parents and her younger brother in a very modest home. Her father works as a mason, doing block work for homes when construction jobs are available in the area. Her mother has a unique job for Haiti—she works as a courier. She earns money by running errands for others: delivering clothes for washing, shopping at the market, carrying supplies between schools, and picking up printed materials. While both parents work hard, construction jobs have been scarce in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for the family to cover their basic needs, including food, rent, and school tuition.
Despite the challenges, Wilgama is incredibly grateful for the chance to attend BGM High School. She knows it offers her an excellent education, and she dreams of being able to stay there through the help of a sponsor. Her favorite subject is Creole, and she aspires to become a nurse when she grows up.
Outside of school, Wilgama enjoys spending time with her friends, helping around the house, and getting some rest whenever she can. She especially loves the rice and beans served at school, which she is very thankful for.