Mohamed L.
Location: Conakry, Guinea
Hobbies: Soccer
Age: 17
Last year of school completed before dropping out: 3rd Grade
Sponsorship need: Primary School ($500)
Mohamed is a self-proclaimed comedian.
Mohamed was forced to drop out of school two years ago because his parents could not afford the fees. Like many MindLeaps students, Mohamed's self-esteem was low when first starting and he would get self-conscious during dance class. But kind support from the dance teachers made a big difference. One of the teachers said of Mohamed, "a smile in his direction goes a long way and then his smile is the brightest smile I’ve ever seen."
Mohamed is also a self-proclaimed comedian. In addition to jokes, some of his favorite things are:
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite dance move: saut de chat
Favorite Animal: Horse
When students first come to MindLeaps, many are unable to think about the future. When asked what he dreams of being when he grows up, Mohamed answered that he just wants to be happy. When asked a few months later he said some of his dream careers would be a soccer player or a boxer.
Mohamed is also a self-proclaimed comedian. In addition to jokes, some of his favorite things are:
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite dance move: saut de chat
Favorite Animal: Horse
When students first come to MindLeaps, many are unable to think about the future. When asked what he dreams of being when he grows up, Mohamed answered that he just wants to be happy. When asked a few months later he said some of his dream careers would be a soccer player or a boxer.
Mohamed's Story.
Mohamad, now 17, was in 2nd-year primary school in Conakry when he dropped out because his parents could no longer pay his school fees. Then schools closed altogether in 2014 because of the Ebola outbreak. At that point, Mohamed went to stay in his village outside Conakry to be safe from the epidemic. When he finally returned to the city, his family still couldn’t afford to send him back to school, so he stayed at home, helping his father and older brothers at the port with their small fishing business.
In 2017, Mohamed was introduced to the program at MindLeaps and started classes. In the beginning, for Mohamed, MindLeaps was just a place to dance. He didn’t think of it as an educational opportunity. At first, even dance classes weren’t easy for him. He had never danced before, was shy and lacked confidence. But his love of dance kept him motivated and involved. He was disciplined and worked steadily to improve. Because of his passion for dance, he was chosen in 2019 to become part of the MindLeaps Performance Group. He loves both classical ballet and hip hop, and has performed publicly with the group twice to date.
In 2018, Mohamed was also sponsored to return to school, beginning primary grade 3 at Groupe Scolaire Emmaüs. He’s now in grade 5 at this francophone school, and is doing particularly well in reading and writing. Outside of school, he speaks the local Susu language with his friends, but he also regularly attends the MindLeaps after school program to help him keep up with his French studies.
In 2017, Mohamed was introduced to the program at MindLeaps and started classes. In the beginning, for Mohamed, MindLeaps was just a place to dance. He didn’t think of it as an educational opportunity. At first, even dance classes weren’t easy for him. He had never danced before, was shy and lacked confidence. But his love of dance kept him motivated and involved. He was disciplined and worked steadily to improve. Because of his passion for dance, he was chosen in 2019 to become part of the MindLeaps Performance Group. He loves both classical ballet and hip hop, and has performed publicly with the group twice to date.
In 2018, Mohamed was also sponsored to return to school, beginning primary grade 3 at Groupe Scolaire Emmaüs. He’s now in grade 5 at this francophone school, and is doing particularly well in reading and writing. Outside of school, he speaks the local Susu language with his friends, but he also regularly attends the MindLeaps after school program to help him keep up with his French studies.
Support Mohamed: www.mindleaps.org/donate
