CAMFED Association

Harriet is a trained teacher, Learner Guide, and entrepreneur, dedicated to community service and leadership. As the elected National Chairperson for the CAMFED Association in Zambia, she leads the charge to support more girls to learn and thrive.

“In Zambia we say ‘it’s all about ubuntu.’ Ubuntu means thriving together; ubuntu means togetherness; ubuntu means humanity for others. This is exactly what CAMFED’s sisterhood is all about.”

CAMFED’s support brought joy to Gladys’ life, and made her dream of training as a journalist a reality. Today, she is using her professional platform to amplify the voices of marginalized girls and women across Malawi.

“Being part of the CAMFED Association helped me realize my power to challenge societal pressures that prevent girls from going further with their education.”

As an education activist, Jennifer advocates for the rights of marginalized young people, especially persons with disabilities and girls. She mentors and guides them, helping them become leaders in their communities and ensure their voices are heard.

“My sisters in the CAMFED Association strengthen my belief that through education, girls can achieve great things. Their stories are a constant reminder of the potential and resilience within each individual.”

Growing up in rural Zambia, every day in education was a challenge to Chise. Today she is an advocate for girls’ education, working with stakeholders to improve the lives of others and achieve her dream that all girls in Zambia have access to quality education and become independent leaders.

“We are bringing our valuable knowledge and practical skills to students in the classroom, helping support whole school communities to become climate resilient and food secure.”

Josephine is proud of being a businesswoman and a leader. She is proud of how CAMFED has shaped her life and the role model she’s become. She loves her job as Vice Chairperson of Kibaha Rural District Council, and is happy to be making life better for women and girls in her community.

“I mentor other women and inspire them to get involved in politics by telling them the truth, that they can be leaders!”

Privillege is not just running for herself, she is running to represent rural, talented children. She is running with all her heart because she wants to make CAMFED and the CAMFED Association proud.

“All I needed was a sister to remind me I could make it.”

Portia is a trained teacher by profession, from the Upper West Region of Ghana. Her education has equipped her with the skills to pursue her passion for teaching and community development.

“I am dedicated to breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating a more inclusive society where everyone has equal opportunities to thrive.”

Orphaned at a young age, Rose grew up to make her grandparents proud, taking on leadership roles in the CAMFED Association, and training young women Learner Guides. Rose galvanizes her community in support of girls’ education and against child marriage.

“I have ended many child marriages, working with traditional leaders in my community. I will help more children, assisting them with their basic needs.”

Every day Natasha wakes up, she chooses to challenge girl child exclusion from education. That is because she has been a rural girl before, she knows what it means to face challenges that keep you away from school, but she has overcome them.

“When you get a chance to get an education, you should grab it with both hands, because there is no greater equalizer than education.”

Faced with many poverty-related challenges during her school years, Martha was determined to succeed and exceeded expectations through her academic achievements. Today, she is an entrepreneur in mushroom production, which is a climate-smart crop.

“Getting to be in a family of sisters who share a common experience, a background with me, who have a similar focus in life, is so impactful.”

As a child, Mariam learned to plait hair with her older sister, who raised her after their mother died when Mariam was only six years old. Today, Mariam fulfils her dream of opening a women’s hair dressing salon and helping her sister in return.

“I am thankful to CAMFED and promise to support my fellow CAMFED Association members.”

Having experienced the financial challenges of climate change growing up, almost losing her education, Harriet now works as a climate-smart Agriculture Officer in Zambia. She trains Agriculture Guides, empowering them to farm in a way that is sustainable.

“I see a future of many possibilities because of our CAMFED Association, which is a sisterhood.”

Once contemplating child marriage as the only way to afford secondary school fees, Eliza now has a Bsc in Food Science and Technology. Today, she is a CAMFED District Operations Officer, and supports her family, as well as other children in her community.

“I was the first girl to go to university from my family, my community and from my secondary school.”

Struggling to afford to stay in school and lacking self-esteem growing up, Happiness is now the Chairperson of the CAMFED Association in her District, CAMFED Learner Guide and is operating a thriving Information Technology business. 

“But the most important thing above all is that I am a CAMFED Association member. My sisters are my source of strength — their support makes failing impossible.”

The chance to go to school and study sustainable agriculture changed everything for Dorcas, who just designed a climate-smart aquaponics system, and will train farmers to adopt sustainable agriculture practices, improving resilience to climate change.

“I realized I could actually contribute more through agriculture than any other sector, and I was determined to reduce hunger in my community.”

Overcoming a dificult childhood, Sophia is now a CAMFED Learner Guide, an entrepreneur, and a pillar of her community. She uses her life experiences and her own resources to support and mentor many more girls at her local school.

“The CAMFED Association means changing from depending on others to self-reliance and abolition of poverty.”

Although her childhood was marred by tragedy and poverty, today our sister Aida is blazing a trail for marginalized women and girls across Tanzania – she was the first CAMFED Association member in the country to qualify as a teacher, but not the last!

“A dream you dream alone is a dream, but a dream you dream together is realistic.”