Camfed Learner Guide
Program wins 2017
WISE Award
The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE), a leading international initiative for innovation and collaboration in education, has today named Camfed Tanzania’s Learner Guide Program as one of the six winning projects of the 2017 WISE Awards, which recognize high-impact projects from around the globe for their innovative solutions to 21st century education challenges. Winning projects had to be scalable and replicable, demonstrating a transformative impact on individuals, communities, and society.
"Congratulations to all the winners! When I heard the news I shouted for joy — and for more than 800 young women here in Tanzania, who are committed to changing the futures of marginalized girls at school. What an extraordinary opportunity to raise the voices and acknowledge the expertise of some of the most vulnerable girls in Africa while contributing to the global knowledge of what works to transform young lives.”
- Lydia Wilbard, National Director, Camfed Tanzania
The Learner Guide Program trains young educated women — most of whom were supported to go to secondary school by Camfed — to return to their local schools as mentors and role models. Learner Guides volunteer to deliver a structured life skills curriculum, helping marginalized children succeed. As Learner Guides, the young women work with schools, communities and district governments to break down the barriers to girls’ education. Learner Guides can earn a vocational qualification (BTEC) for their work, and gain access to interest-free loans to grow their own businesses. Respected for their expertise at every level, they are multiplying the returns of their own education for the benefit of their communities.
"Our six WISE Awards winners reflect the wide range of what can be achieved in advancing education when there is a creative solution and a determination to see it through. We look forward to showcasing our winners and runners-up at the WISE Summit in Doha in November, and to supporting their progress as they grow.”
- Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO, WISE
The Learner Guide Program was selected as a WISE Awards winner in recognition of its impact in supporting young women’s education and employment opportunities.
Part of Camfed’s multi-dimensional approach to girls’ education, it has resulted in an unprecedented uplift in learning outcomes, especially among the most marginalized girls.
Lydia Wilbard, Camfed Tanzania’s National Director and herself a member of Camfed’s CAMA alumnae network, will be speaking at the World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) in November 2017, where the winning projects will be celebrated.
“Young women like Zuhura bring the lived experience of poverty and exclusion to the classroom. They are the experts in supporting marginalized students to stay in school, succeed, and lead,” she said.
Learner Guide Zuhura also runs a small business and is saving for college.