Synopsis

Synopsis of FAWE Article in Republikein of September 16, 2009 - "Forum Considers Girls' Futures"

Successful women such as the U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama, U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks and Oprah Winfrey are considered strong role models for young girls.  For the first time, Namibia was privileged to host the Forum for African Women Educationalists.  The aim of the forum is to increase the access to education and to improve the quality of education for girls in Africa. 

U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, Dennise Mathieu, spoke at the event and was quoted as saying, “First Lady Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou and Oprah Winfrey, to name a few, encourage and inspire young girls in our communities to hold a personal vision for their futures, and to use education effectively to reach their goals and overcome the many obstacles that are placed in their way.

“Here in Namibia, we know that orphans and vulnerable children, especially girls, often lack the financial resources needed to attend school, stay in school, and do well in school.  That’s why the United States provides assistance to support girls’ education through the Ambassador’s Girls Scholarship Program, AGSP, under the Africa Education Initiative (AEI).
 
“We have disbursed a total of $500,000 American dollars since 2005, mainly through FAWENA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church AIDS Program, to pay for school fund contributions, and to provide for basic needs such as school uniforms and supplies for personal hygiene.  Throughout their education, scholarship recipients also receive psycho-social support and mentoring. 

“A total of 1,546 girls have benefitted from the scholarship program since 2005.  The program initially focused on assisting girls to complete Grade 7.  A component was added later, through the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which extended support to girls in grades 8 - 12.  Through an innovative public-private partnership, Standard Bank Namibia has agreed to provide additional resources to ensure that all AGSP students who make it to grades 8-12 will be funded.

“We recently added a boys’ component to AGSP, but we continue to concentrate mainly on girls’ education because we know that educated women can make a difference in society.  As you are aware, educated women are afforded greater opportunities to break the cycle of poverty and provide a better life for our children.”

Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Becky Ndjoze-Ojo, and the Managing Director of Standard Bank Namibia, Mr. Mpumzi Pupuma, also attended and spoke at the event.

* The above is a synopsis of an article, which appeared in the independent Afrikaans-language daily, Republikein, of September 16, 2009.