Camfed's Response
Camfed’s program was launched in Zambia in 2001 following an invitation by the Zambian Ministry of Education to support government investment in primary and secondary education.
Camfed is providing financial support to raise enrollment in 224 schools in 14 districts. The Safety Net Fund provides essential school items for vulnerable children, to mitigate against the main cause of school drop out – family poverty. Schools manage Safety Net Fund grants to benefit large numbers of children, providing school support for 12,341 children in 2007. Financial support targeted to girls at secondary school is closing the gender gap at this critical transition point.
Due to the shortage of rural schools, many girls have to walk long distances every day to go to school. This has an impact on their ability to study and also exposes them to numerous dangers. Camfed has built so far 3 hostels for girls, which are located close to schools to prevent this situation.
From January to September 2007, Camfed has already supported the training of 92 female teachers in rural areas. This is in a context where recent government teacher training incentives have had limited impact on rural communities, which are unable to attract teachers. Female teachers are even rarer in these areas.
Cama, the Camfed alumni network, has grown quickly in Zambia with already 644 members. CAMA provides a chance for rural female school leavers to participate in a female-run and led network, and receive ongoing vocational training in a context where unemployment in rural areas is high, especially for women.
Camfed’s Seed Money program has already trained 340 women in 2007 and provided a further 254 with grants and loans to start up their own businesses. This has proven to be a vital lifeline, generating incomes for women so that they can support their families as well as themselves.
Cama members are playing a key a role in the fight against HIV/AIDS by providing vital information on this pandemic to schools and rural communities. In a context where HIV/AIDS is killing high percentages of the young, the community health forums that Cama leads is ensuring that information on the disease is reaching even remote areas of Zambia. Many are also giving home-based care for AIDS sufferers and orphans, dispelling myths on its transmission.
Camfed has pioneered a successful film-making initiative in Samfya, which trained 23 rural women to creatively express themselves through this powerful visual medium. Their documentaries tackle controversial issues and thus serve as a forum of discussion and female empowerment. One movie has already been showcased at a major African film festival in 2007 in Burkina Faso.
Read about Camfed's impact in Zambia in 2007.
Latest NewsFeed
- Guardian Development Journalism Competition: finalists announcedJul 23, 0 Comments
- Runners' efforts keep hundreds of girls in schoolJul 15, 0 Comments
- The power to change the world: Camfed founder Ann Cotton profiled in new book Jul 07, 0 Comments
- Camfed on BBC World ServiceJun 24, 2 Comments
- Reviving African tales, a writer helps educate girlsJun 17, 0 Comments
- Fiona’s storyApr 16, 1 Comments
- Leading Camfed Alumna Speaks at Skoll World ForumApr 16, 0 Comments
Appeal
Construction of vital school housing
Product
Share with