Remarks

Remarks by Ambassador Dennise Mathieu at the FAWE Executive Committee Farewell Dinner
Safari Court Hotel
September 3, 2009

It’s truly an honor to be here this evening, to be among such accomplished and distinguished women who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible education for girls and women.  I first learned about FAWE about 9 years ago when I served at the U.S. Embassy in Ghana -- where the national chapter of FAWE helped implement the United States Education for Development and Democracy Initiative, EDDI, which focused on access and quality education, scholarships, and mentoring programs for girls.  When Deputy Minister Becky invited me to attend this dinner tonight, I was delighted because of my current and previous positive experiences with FAWE.

I understand that this is the first time that Namibia is hosting the Executive Committee Meeting, representing all of FAWE’s different national chapters.  I am confident that you will accomplish a great deal during your meetings in terms of mapping out strategies to increase access, improve retention, and enhance the quality of education for girls in Africa.  Your task as women educators, committed to help frame and implement policies to promote education for African girls, is a monumental one. 

In the United States, strong female role models, such as 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.  Because we understand the importance of girls realizing their dreams to become teachers, doctors, engineers, bankers and entrepreneurs, the United States Government has committed itself to supporting girls’ education worldwide. 

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. 

I would like to commend FAWENA for its contribution to the development of a mentorship manual that is used to train teachers and supervisors.  Close to 400 people, most of them teachers and matrons at hostels, have been trained through this initiative, and they continue to serve as “big sisters” to the girls who are part of this program.

I would also like to thank FAWENA for their efforts in making the AGSP program a success.  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.

AGSP has provided support to historically marginalized populations like the San and OvaHimba. While we do not have exact figures, we know that 2 out of 5 AGSP graduates from the Mureti Secondary School in the Kunene Region, which has a large OvaHimba population, have gone on to study at the Ongwediva Teachers College.

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.  Educated girls are also better prepared to make informed decisions relating to personal and professional choices, and to make valuable contributions to their families and communities.

The United States is grateful for our FAWE partners, like FAWENA, who make it possible for us to support girls’ education and bring real development and progress to communities in Africa.  As members of the Executive Committee of FAWE, you are the contemporary role models for girls in Africa, and I salute you for taking up this challenge.

Thank you.