A Letter from the Founder
Guiding Caravan to Class has become my life’s work. It began with a commitment to bring elementary education to children in a place I have grown deeply attached to: Timbuktu, Mali. Over the years, we have built and supported eighteen schools and launched a literacy program for mothers. Along the way, we came to understand another pressing need: helping talented young women continue their education and build independent futures.
Following the loss of my wife, Jackie, we established Bourse Jackie in her memory. What began as a university scholarship program for young women from Timbuktu has grown into something I could scarcely have imagined: a network of women across West Africa who are pursuing their ambitions and helping others do the same.
Today, our three programs combine university scholarships, English-language study, and public-speaking and leadership development, reaching young women across fourteen West African countries. Through education, mentorship, and connections across borders, we help women gain access to opportunities that too often remain beyond their reach.
What moves me most is seeing what happens next.
Bintou, one of our university scholars from Mali, earned a master’s degree in logistics and founded an organization protecting the environment in Timbuktu. Augustine, from Côte d’Ivoire, went on from our English-language program to earn a full scholarship at Villars Palace Academy in Switzerland. Agnes, from The Gambia, is using her public-speaking experience to train others through the academy she founded.
These women are building careers and creating opportunities in their communities. Their achievements show how the value of a scholarship can grow long after the studies or training have ended.
Our programs are now led by three West African women, two of whom are Bourse Jackie alumnae. There is something profoundly meaningful about watching women who once received support become the people guiding, encouraging, and opening doors for those who follow. They bring their own experience to this work and help shape its future.
When I speak with the young women in our programs, I am continually struck by their resilience, optimism, and determination. When I ask about their dreams, the answer I hear most often is simple: independence—the ability to shape their own lives. They want to put their talents to work, support their families, and contribute to their communities. Education, confidence, and access to the right opportunities can help make that possible.
I know I may be biased. But after getting to know these remarkable women personally, I feel more committed than ever to helping them move forward. Their potential is extraordinary. Our responsibility is to provide thoughtful, sustained support—and to measure our work by the opportunities they gain and what they go on to do.In Jackie’s name, we are building a growing network of women who learn from one another, lead with purpose, and help the next generation find its way. To see her memory carried forward in their lives gives this work a meaning that is difficult to put into words.Thank you to our dedicated team and to every donor who makes this possible. I hope you will join us in helping more young women pursue their ambitions—and create opportunities for others.Sincerely,
Barry Hoffner
Founder & Director