Half of the women over the age of 15 around the world can’t read or write, yet educated females are greater contributors to their communities, are healthier, and are more likely to educate their own children than uneducated women. Global Partners is dedicated to improving the quality of life and education for girls in East Africa, and we are excited to share the latest updates regarding Global Partners’ Girls’ Education Program.
One of the ways we support girls’ education is through the funding of individual secondary school and tertiary level scholarships with the support of our implementing partners: Executive Women in Development (EWIDA) in Uganda and the Pastoral Women’s Council (PWC) in Tanzania. Attached to this article is a report from EWIDA documenting the progress of our scholarship recipients in Uganda from September through December 2019.
We are also thrilled to announce that we recently hired four former Global Partners scholarship recipients from Uganda to work as savings officers for the WomenSave program. As savings officers, these former scholarship recipients will empower underserved women through financial literacy training and commitment savings plans. The business skills obtained through their education will be an asset to WomenSave, and we are pleased to welcome them to our team.
EWIDA Update
Last year, Global Partners supported 22 girls through EWIDA. Currently, Global Partners is sponsoring 8 senior six students, 6 university students, and 3 students who attend tertiary institutions. There are numerous success stories coming out of the program, and we hope you will find the girls’ progress to be as inspiring as we do.
In 2019, the eight form six scholars began their Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education exams, and four University scholars graduated. Promise Natuhwera graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree, Odira Akatuhwera and Liz Ainembabazi graduated with Bachelor of Business Administration degrees, and Generous Amutuheire graduated with a Bachelor degree in Social Work and Social Administration. We are honored to have supported these young women and are proud of their achievements.
PWC Update
The scholarships Global Partners provide through PWC give Maasai girls the opportunity to escape early forced marriage and continue their schooling. In 2019, Global Partners funded scholarships for 15 tertiary school students and 15 secondary school students in partnership with PWC. In 2020, Global Partners will support three scholars to attend secondary school and one to attend a teachers college.
If you have any questions about the Girls’ Education or WomenSave programs, please feel free to contact Sara Henning at (707) 588-0550 or by email at sdhenning@gpfd.org. To support education in East Africa, donate here.
