Celebrating a new six-year partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and CAMFED
CAMFED is thrilled to be embarking on the next phase of our long-standing collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation. Together, we will enable girls to attend and thrive in secondary school and support the successful transition of 62,000 young women across Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Malawi into tertiary studies, employment and entrepreneurship.
The members of our leadership network, the CAMFED Association, will in turn share their expertise at the local, national and global level, rallying their communities in support of quality education, and bringing hope and opportunity to millions of young people across the continent.
Through this collaboration, built on a foundation of deep trust, shared goals and values, we welcome the opportunity to strengthen our affiliation with the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) and every other partner who shares our unwavering commitment to advancing girls’ education and women’s leadership. Together with Ministry partners, we are creating the coalition we need to transform education systems to better serve the needs of all children, especially the most vulnerable girls. Our model is showing that when young women learn, earn and lead sustainable businesses, everyone benefits.
We’re incredibly proud to deepen our collaboration with CAMFED and FAWE, building on years of shared commitment to supporting girls across Africa to complete their education and gain the skills they need to become transformative changemakers within their communities. Currently contributing just 11 percent of Africa’s GDP, the continent’s young women have huge potential to drive its economic transition. We believe this partnership will be pivotal in establishing the inclusive and equitable environment required to fully unlock this opportunity, enabling the most vulnerable and underserved girls in society to thrive.Tina Muparadzi, Executive Director of Education & Transitions at the Mastercard Foundation
It’s life changing to have a hand in adding to someone’s success…We are like candles that shine in the darkness, and the more we are, the brighter we shine.
After completing school and graduating university [with support from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program], I wanted to give back to my community and help learners build life skills, including decision-making and assertiveness. I trained as a CAMFED Learner Guide and started delivering My Better World sessions at my local school. As a Learner Guide I also had the opportunity to participate in entrepreneurship and agribusiness training, and now run a successful business. Using my profits I support numerous girls, averaging around 10 per year, with essential items like stationery, uniforms, shoes, and food.
Hear more from Yvonne
This partnership supercharges our ambitious vision to support millions more girls to thrive in secondary school, graduate into secure livelihoods and leadership, and in turn mentor and support the next generation, multiplying partner investment. With the commitment of every member of our global movement, we can transform education systems and economies across Africa, driving progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.Angeline Murimirwa, CEO, CAMFED
For over 14 years, CAMFED and the Mastercard Foundation have partnered to support girls and young women in some of the most underserved rural communities to learn, thrive and transition to lives of independence and influence. Through initiatives including Investing in the Leaders of Change, the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program and the Young Africa Works strategy, the two organizations have nurtured the potential of 68,937 girls and young women, supporting them to complete secondary education and transition into tertiary education, entrepreneurship and employment in Ghana and Malawi.
Now, many of these graduates are spearheading programs to mentor and support the younger generation, and are ready to lead the charge during the new phase of our partnership. The Mastercard Foundation’s strategic investment will also support our government partnerships, as we work together to deliver youth-led mentorship at scale.
Read some of our success stories
Beyond being their teacher, my students see me as their mentor and big sister, creating a nurturing and supportive environment for their growth.
Within my community, each day presents its own set of issues. Many students come to school with torn uniforms, prompting me to bring a needle and thread to mend them after lessons. If the uniforms cannot be repaired, I provide new ones. I also supply educational materials and footwear, ensuring children have the necessary tools to learn and remain in school. Additionally, I offer free life skills training to widows, young people, and girls. These projects are funded with the profits from my shea butter business and the support of a few friends. I stand as a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change in my community and beyond.
Hear more from Portia
A Mastercard Foundation side event at UNGA, which was live streamed and covered by Devex, consisted of a series of panels addressing Inclusive Education for a Sustainable Future. CAMFED’s Fiona Mavhinga, Executive Director for CAMFED Association Development, joined other education experts to speak in the closing session, “Embracing Bold Action” on Sunday, September 22.
She reflected on the Multiplier Effect of girls’ education that results in each CAMFED graduate financially supporting (on average) three more girls through school. In 2023, that amounted to nearly 900,000 children — of which more than 600,000 were girls — being supported. This reach is expanded through CAMFED’s Learner Guide model, which sees young women with direct experience of educational barriers mentoring more girls in school, starting businesses, and bringing their expertise to decision-making at every level.
Learn more about the panel discussionHear from more leaders supported to learn through our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. Now, they are paying forward their earnings, skills, and mentorship to girls and their communities. In the next six years, tens of thousands of their sisters will join them:
A new study reveals significant medium and long-term positive outcomes not only for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars, but also for their families, communities, and educational institutions.
Soon after I started junior high school, I had to drop out for two weeks because we could not raise the resources required for me to continue. It was then that I was selected for CAMFED support, through the CAMFED Teacher Mentor and my community. I knew then that I could take ownership of my destiny and utilize this opportunity to change the storyline of my family and my community.
As a passionate champion for girls’ education, I have grown a well-established reputation in my community and beyond, as an anti-child marriage activist. I regularly facilitate awareness campaigns around child marriage, speaking out in front of large groups of parents and children, teachers and school committee members, together with local traditional leaders, social welfare officers and the police.
Because I am a CAMFED Association member, I believe in the power of giving back to my society. The day I delivered a baby on the roadside, I was motivated to help her deliver safely because of my love for rural women and children.
The students are taking up their higher education places in Kenya with support from CAMFED and the Mastercard Foundation. Before traveling, they joined a televised event in Blantyre.
The chance to go to school, and then to study sustainable agriculture, changed everything for me and will transform my community.
Amit Roy £12.7
le cru $26.6
Steve Dubansky $31.9
elizabeth nestor $850
Audrey Schein $26.6
Michael Gotthelf $1000
Derek Moore £250
Lisa Goretsas $500
KERRY LOZITO $47.6
David Encisco $158
Mary Kirton $158
Mary-B Hall $526
Anne Krentz & James R Organ $2500
Allison Scribner $158
Sandra Spence $799
