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The CAMFED Learner Guide Program, developed in partnership with Pearson, is being extended in Tanzania to support more than 6,400 children in 80 schools. Through the programme, educated young women in CAMFED’s CAMA alumnae network are trained to return to their local schools to deliver vital life skills lessons to marginalized children. To recognize their work, Pearson is now awarding BTEC qualifications to CAMFED’s Learner Guide alumnae. Pearson is also launching an employee fundraising campaign, which it will match, boosting the work of Learner Guides by sending more girls to secondary school with the materials they need to succeed.
Speaking ahead of the event at Pearson’s London headquarters, Kate James said, “In large parts of Africa, upwards of 40% of children are living in poverty and not receiving an education or gaining the crucial skills needed to get a job. Together with CAMFED we’re determined to play a role in helping improve the life prospects and career opportunities for young people in Africa – with a particular focus on empowering young girls.”
Lucy Lake added, “Our partnership with Pearson has opened up opportunities among some of the most marginalized young people around the world. The BTEC qualification for Learner Guides is opening up new pathways to enhance young women’s employability and access to further education, and provides an important example of what’s possible in the drive to achieve the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The first 567 Learner Guides have just earned a tailored Pearson BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma for their work in Zimbabwe. Pearson has committed to certifying 5,000 Learner Guides by 2019. Sinikiwe Makove has worked with many of them, and brings to the event the stories of these activists and entrepreneurs.
Ahead of the launch event, Sinikiwe Makove said: “I see the change in the young women and the girls they support. They grow in confidence, they have new tools to shape their lives. Learner Guides are becoming leaders and philanthropists. Lindiwe, for example, now runs an innovative drinks business – the first CAMFED alumna whose business is registered with the Zimbabwean government. Through her profits she supports more children to go to school. And as one of the first BTEC recipients, she is now able to pursue her dream of becoming a fully qualified teacher. Imagine thousands more trained female teachers, who understand all the barriers to education imposed by poverty – they will make all the difference for children in rural Zimbabwe.”
“There is no justice without girls’ education — and this is how we achieve it”
In honor of the event, which coincides with World Day of Social Justice, Sinikiwe’s colleague and CAMA alumnae leader Fiona Mavhinga has written a blog, published today in the Huffington Post: There is no justice without girls’ education – and this is how we achieve it.
Rob Nickerson £350
Niall Doherty $215
David WOLFSON $750
Wendy Wallbrunn $40
Jonathan Wilkinson £50
Albert Zabin $200
Steve Osman $100
Roe & Maggie Stone $100
Betty Schwab $25
Jonathan Brody $40
Bonne Mogulescu $150
William Wiedmann $150
Adrianna Timmons $360
Lizbeth Garcia $10
Niall Doherty $370