CAMFED to expand services as  it celebrates 25 yrs  of operations

In Tanzania, CAMFED is among Non-Governmental Organisations which have been in the forefront in partnering with the government in helping girls to meet their educational dreams and expectations.

Speaking at a meeting to celebrate 25 years of the movement’s establishment, which was held in Bagamoyo and brought together leaders from 13 countries, director of programmes and partnerships at CAMFED Tanzania Anna Sawaki said the network has been complimenting the government since 2006 in Iringa region with only 28 girls but currently it is operating in 10 regions with 57,000 benefiting girls.

“Through the programme we have been mentoring vulnerable girls in 13 countries globally, and now we are ensuring that the network expands further,” she said.

She said the movement provides financial, material and social support to the most marginalized girls to ensure they access and progress through education.

“The support also extends to vocational and tertiary students, and aims to tackle poverty and inequality by supporting girls to go to school, thrive, and become role models and leaders of change in their communities,” she said.

This, according to Anna, catalyzes the power of the most vulnerable girls and young women to create the future they imagine: for themselves, for their communities, and for Africa.

She said the aim is to have 500,000 beneficiaries in Africa by 2030.

Fiona Mavinga, Executive advisor CAMFED association global, said the association started in 1998 in Zimbabwe with 400 girls only and currently there are 250,000 girls in Africa.

“This network has enabled girls to make it in life but also the narrative in the girls here is no longer of poverty but something different,” she said.

One of the beneficiaries from CAMFED Tanzania Dairis Martin who is also a senior programme officer for the organization said in 2009 she was selected to join the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), but she was not able to start studies because of funding as she was an orphan.

“It is through CAMFED that I achieved my dreams and I went to UDSM and graduated and now I am supporting others through the network,” she said.