Meet Suzan John, a Future Pilot

Dear Friends,

My name is Suzan John, I am a young twenty-year old girl from Nyichoka, a small village in Tanzania. I was just 11 years old when my father wanted to force me to go through Female Genital Mutilation, a harmful tradition deeply rooted in my community. Every girl in my village has to go through it. My father was planning to marry me off a short while later, but luckily, a team from Hope for girls and women in Tanzania had come to our village and educated us about the terrible life-long physical and emotional harm that result after mutilation. And so, at the age of just 11, I made the most difficult decision of my life; I decided to run away from home, leaving my family and everything I knew behind. I walked for days and nights with no food, no safe place to rest, and wild animals roaming freely. Every step was filled with fear and uncertainty, but I kept going because I wanted more than survival, I wanted freedom. Finally, I reached the Safe House run by Hope for Girls and Women in Tanzania. The centre became my haven, a place where hope was restored and dreams began to grow.

Before coming to the centre, I had never been to school. Education was a distant hope, almost unimaginable for a girl in my situation. But the people at the centre saw my potential and gave me a chance to learn. With the help of Canadian sponsors I started school, with no knowledge but with a heart full of determination. Every day I studied hard, guided by the dream of changing my life and proving that my past would not dictate my future.

As I progressed in school, a new and powerful dream took shape inside me. I dreamt of becoming a professional pilot flying across the continents and connecting people from all walks of life. The spark for this dream came during a school visit to an airport. Watching pilots preparing for take-off, hearing the engine roar and seeing the teamwork and precision behind every flight made my heart race with excitement and passion. I remember the first time, thanks to a sponsor, that I went on a discovery flight to see if I would like flying. Sitting in the cockpit, feeling the controls under my hands and looking out over the clouds was unlike anything I had ever experienced. In that moment I knew that this is my path, this is my destiny and my way to change the world. 

I want to fly not only for myself but also as a symbol to other girls that their dreams can take flight, no matter the obstacles. I want to inspire young girls, especially those trapped by harmful traditions like female genital mutilation and child marriage, and show them that they too can break free and write their own story. I want to show that no matter where you come from or what you have been through, you can soar and achieve your dreams.

Unfortunately, pilot training is very expensive. The tuition, equipment and flight hours required are far beyond my financial means. I am so inspired by the kindness and belief shown to me by strangers so far; their faith in me fuels my own belief that I can reach the skies and beyond. That is why am reaching out now, with humility and courage, asking for your help to make my dream become a reality. Any contribution - big or small - will bring me closer to the cockpit and to my goals of giving back to my community. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for considering helping me to reach the skies!

Suzan John

HOW YOUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT WILL BE USED:

The training at the Flitestar Academy, an established and accredited flight school in Nairobi, Kenya takes four to six months and includes 40 to 60 flight lessons. All donations will be collected by a team of four women, including Giselle Portenier (filmmaker of In the Name of Your Daughter and Tharien van Eck), and sent directly to the flight academy to cover Suzan’s training costs. We will transfer the funds in instalments as required by the academy, ensuring every contribution goes straight toward her education.

The cost for the 4-6 months program in Kenya:

Registration cost 32€

Starter pack + school uniform 898€

Ground school 1085€

Insurance 25€

Flight lessons 9400€ for 50 lessons (188€ per lesson)

TOTAL: 11440€