Reflecting on two years of CAMFED’s partnership with Education Above All's Educate A Child program
CAMFED’s joint project with Education Above All’s Educate A Child program has remained responsive to the needs of primary school students at the highest risk of dropping out of education in rural Malawi. In the project’s second year, there has been a particular focus on additional academic and social support for thousands of children we are reaching across nine rural districts — ensuring they can continue to learn and succeed.
Mentorship is a strategic intervention that addresses educational barriers while enhancing student retention and engagement. Effective peer-led initiatives can improve individual outcomes, and also contribute to systemic change within communities, facilitating broader access to quality learning. That’s one of the reasons why we, at EAA/EAC, value working in partnership with CAMFED to support Learner Guides in leveraging their lived experiences to provide meaningful guidance to at-risk children and foster a culture of commitment to learning.Mary Joy Pigozzi, PhD. Executive Director of Education Above All Foundation’s Educate A Child program
“In the past, I had a lot of problems. But now, CAMFED has helped me with many things, including school fees…We learn a lot from the My Better World handbook…All of us learners are happy here.”
Shyreen lives in Dedza district, Malawi. She struggled to attend school regularly due to lack of school fees and other material items, including the required uniform. Shyreen also lives with a hearing impairment, which poses an additional barrier to learning in a mainstream school.
Since being selected for support through CAMFED’s project in partnership with the Educate A Child program of the Education Above All Foundation, she has been provided with all she needs to attend and thrive at a specialist boarding school for children affected by hearing impairments.
“I decided to be a Learner Guide because I live here in my village and as a Learner Guide you look at your community. I have the privilege of reaching the people that are near me.”
Adina is a Learner Guide, trained with support through CAMFED’s project in partnership with the Educate A Child program of the Education Above All Foundation, as well as a professional primary school teacher.
In her Learner Guide role, Adina delivers My Better World sessions and mentoring. She is recognized in her community as someone that vulnerable girls can share and work through their challenges with.
“Learner Guides are so effective because they have lived experience of the challenges and context that the girls they support are also navigating. As respected leaders and experts in their communities, they can rally families and local authorities around the most marginalized children. Learner Guides also stand as role models and examples of what is possible when girls are supported to learn and succeed.”Khumbo Gondwe, Program Officer, CAMFED Malawi
“As a Learner Guide, I deliver life skills sessions in school and conduct home visits to support absent learners. I have seen positive change through my work. I visited three girls who had dropped out of school and brought them back.”
“I am so happy because I don’t lack anything that I need for my education. When I finish my school, I want to become a police woman.”
In its first year, our joint project has reached 40,050 children at the highest risk of drop-out in 1,355 schools across Malawi.
“I provide guidance and counselling to the learners. The support delivered to the learners has greatly changed our school. For example, we have introduced study circles for learners to gather in various groups and discuss or share new ideas. And also the coming in of the Learner Guide has improved our school.”
“I deliver life skills sessions to learners. This helps them to understand themselves better and build self-confidence. Learners should continue with their studies in order for them to achieve their goals.”
CAMFED is delighted to announce a new partnership with Educate A Child program of the Education Above All Foundation. Our joint action will reach thousands of children and improve learning outcomes in some of the poorest communities in Malawi.
Alan Wilson £57.4
Terina Martinez $26.6
Robin Gregory £5.4
Kate Machin $16
Jane Baker $3
Elaine Portzel $3
John Lamb $13
Harriet S Littleton $5.6
Emiliano Conde $403
Amy Michelle Cresswell $5.6
Timothy Pearson $42.4
Francesca Trabacca $5.6
Jacquiline Giden $3
Quinton Cole-Gillard $21.4
Akshata Rudrapatna $13
