Celebrating a decade of learning and impact
A new independent study has evaluated the overall impact, sustainability, and learning associated with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CAMFED Ghana over the course of ten years.
Through the Program, 4,032 secondary school students and 2,140 tertiary students have been supported to access and thrive in education. The study reveals significant medium and long-term positive outcomes not only for these Mastercard Foundation Scholars, but also for their families, communities, and educational institutions.
The [Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CAMFED Ghana] brought joy and happiness to our families and our lives were never the same. My ailing mother who had been bedridden for a long time sat up when she heard that I had been enrolled. She could not contain her joy knowing that I would be progressing with my education.Mastercard Foundation Scholar
The [Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CAMFED Ghana] created an appetite for further studies among the girls from the rural communities... With the ripple effect in the communities, the life of the young women will never be the same. I know some of them, the villages they come from [and] because of the education access, every girl in those communities can now appreciate that education is for all of us.School Committee Member
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars faced significant barriers to education, rooted in poverty, before enrolling in the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CAMFED Ghana. A comprehensive package for girls and young women — including financial, material and psychosocial support, as well as self-development and leadership training — led to uplifted academic achievement and helped girls to learn, thrive and be well in school and at university.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars have gone on to become respected role models, working as entrepreneurs, health professionals, teachers, and more. Many have also launched initiatives to formalize their community give-back, inspiring others to rally around other vulnerable girls and groups — at family, community and district levels, as well as at schools and universities.
Findings from this report were shared and discussed at an event held in Accra on June 13th, 2024.
Read the full reportAn enduring legacy of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at CAMFED Ghana is many schools and tertiary institutions becoming better placed to support students from marginalized backgrounds to thrive. Several universities reported establishing or reviving student support programs, strengthening guidance and mentorship services, and developing gender strategies, among other initiatives.
In addition, the collaborations for the Program, including with government partners, have made significant contributions to the policy environment in Ghana, helping ensure that the education system better serves the needs of disadvantaged girls and young women.
The community has developed a positive attitude towards philanthropy, especially towards supporting the education of needy children. The community can now come together and raise resources for a needy child to go to school because they have seen the value of education, especially the education of young women. This was never the case before.CAMFED Teacher Mentor
Through the selection of the [Mastercard Foundation] Scholars, we came to release the barriers that face the young women who joined our university; the plight of the young women needed intervention. The university was keen to develop a gender policy, which would not only safeguard the young women but also provide for affirmative action where necessary.University Registrar
The Program's sustainability stems from a network of change leaders
I am Portia, a trained teacher by profession, from the Upper West Region of Ghana. My education has equipped me with the skills to pursue my passion for teaching and community development.
From saving up my lunch money to access the internet café, to becoming an award-winning Machine Intelligence expert — I am living out my dreams as a trailblazing young woman in STEM.
As an education activist, I advocate for the rights of marginalized young people, especially persons with disabilities and girls.
I hope my story will be a huge encouragement to many - showing a person living with a disability who has accomplished much in life. I like to say: “Never be afraid to show the world who you are and what you are made of.”
What brings me fulfilment and happiness is helping the less privileged in society. Through my business I look forward to training many more people in mushroom production and encouraging youth in agriculture – so that they look upon it more positively.
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.
This report includes quotes from speeches given by CAMFED Ghana National Director, Fairuza Safian, and CAMFED Association member and Mastercard Foundation Scholar, Stella Baidoo.
CAMFED’s Fairuza Safian gave a short interview to Plus TV about the impact of our partnership with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, as well as outlining future plans.
The Mastercard Foundation published an overview of the report – detailing our collaboration, the data collection methods for the study, its key findings and the wider policy implications.
Christine Bunyan $42.4
Julie Watts $600
Stephanie Pennington $52.9
Cy Blanco $47.6
Much Ridley $13
Jim Reichardt $158
George Kuehn $106
Amit Roy £12.7
Laurel Harper $68.7
John Zanini $316
Eliza Reedy $150
Mila Visser 't Hooft $300
Carole Merl $38.2
john hemery £26.2
Ronnie Kolodziej $28.7
When she thrives, we all thrive
Together this giving season, we can make a difference that ripples outward to benefit everyone.
