N’Djamena: a teenage girl builds her future by selling cassava during school breaks
In Chad’s capital, students like Léa trade cassava during holidays to fund their education and gain financial independence amid widespread poverty.
For many students in Chad’s capital, school holidays are anything but a break from responsibility. Léa, a 10th-grade student from Kilwiti neighborhood, has turned her vacation time into an opportunity to learn real-life lessons while securing funds for the upcoming school year.
Equipped with a large basin balanced on her head, she navigates the bustling streets of N’Djamena daily, offering fresh cassava roots to passersby. « I live with my mother in Kilwiti. Selling cassava during holidays helps me gather the money needed for next year’s school supplies and fees, » she explains.
Léa describes how cassava prices fluctuate between 50 and 500 FCFA depending on size and quality. Like her, dozens of young women in N’Djamena have embraced this trade to support their education. Yet the business comes with challenges.
« Cassava prices have risen sharply. Some customers complain when we sell portions for 100 or 200 FCFA, assuming we’re overcharging. They don’t realize we buy the roots at high wholesale costs—we can’t sell at a loss, » she says. Despite this, she notes that a growing number of buyers recognize the value behind her efforts and actively support her initiative. The harsh economic climate in Chad makes every franc count.
Chad faces deep-rooted poverty, with 44.8% of its population living below the national poverty line. Extreme vulnerability is even more pronounced: 36.5% survive on less than $2.15 a day. These staggering figures place Chad among countries with the lowest human capital indices, severely limiting opportunities for young people to build better futures.
From classroom to marketplace: a generation takes initiative
Léa’s story reflects a growing mindset shift among Chad’s youth. Faced with uncertain job markets and limited career prospects after graduation, students are realizing the importance of early financial independence. By combining school with entrepreneurship, they’re not only funding their education but also developing resilience, discipline, and critical business skills that textbooks can’t teach. In a country where formal employment opportunities are scarce, such self-driven initiatives are becoming a lifeline for the next generation.
