FAQs

What is Camfed?

Camfed is an international organization working to solve long-term health, economic and social issues in Africa by investing in girls’ education in some of the poorest regions of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana and Tanzania. Camfed’s vision is a world in which every child is educated, protected, respected and valued, and grows up to turn the tide of poverty.

What is the mission of Camfed?

Camfed’s mission is to provide access to education for girls in rural Africa who would not otherwise be able to attend school because of poverty. Camfed believes the long-term benefits will multiply as the influence of girls’ education spreads to their families and communities.

How was Camfed established?

In 1991, Ann Cotton travelled to rural Zimbabwe to find that very few girls were attending school. With the costs of education too overwhelming for families to provide education for all of their children, the girls were often left behind. Moved by the experience, Ann began selling sandwiches and homemade cakes at a local market. Within a year, Ann was able to raise enough money to send 32 girls to school in two of the most impoverished districts of Zimbabwe. And thus, Camfed was born.

How much does it cost to educate a girl?

In addition to school and exam fees that are due in most state secondary school systems of Africa, families must also provide funding for books, shoes, uniforms, and in some cases, transportation to the schools. It costs Camfed slightly more than £6 per month to support one student in secondary school with education, materials, transportation and boarding.

How many children does Camfed support?

In 2006, more than 300,900 children in four African nations benefitted from Camfed’s program of educational support. Camfed plans to expand to a total of seven African nations by the year 2010.

How does Camfed work?

Camfed establishes a volunteer network in each community where it operates, made up of traditional leaders, parents, local health and education officials and young educated women. This volunteer group works together to select girls – based solely on financial need – to receive all of the direct costs of education that their families are unable to provide. Additionally, Camfed provides the girls with the social support of a trained female mentor in every partner school.

How is Camfed structured?

Camfed is a non-governmental organization comprised of five branches: Camfed International (the headquarters of the organization located in Cambridge, UK), Camfed USA Foundation, Camfed Zimbabwe, Camfed Zambia and Camfed Tanzania. Boards of trustees are active in every branch, supported by an International Advisory Board whose members provide specific expertise, including academics, film-makers, corporate leaders, journalists, celebrities and African chiefs. Under development is the establishment of Camfed Ghana and Camfed Canada.

How can securing female education break the cycle of poverty in Africa?

The social, economic, and psychological impacts of education are tremendous. Research shows that for each additional year of education a woman in Africa obtains beyond primary school, her income increases by 15%, and both her vulnerability to HIV/AIDS and her risk of dying in childbirth is significantly decreased.

One extra year of education beyond the national average for girls boosts eventual wages by 10 to 20%, increasing an entire family’s income. Increasing the share of women with a secondary education by 1% boosts a country’s annual per capita income growth by 0.3 %. Studies have shown that when women farmers had the same education as male farmers, crop yields rose 22%.

How can securing female education break the cycle of HIV/AIDS?

Education gives young women the literacy skills and confidence to seek services and gain knowledge about disease prevention and treatment. Studies show that HIV spreads twice as fast among non-educated girls in Africa. The lack of girls’ education in Africa will lead to at least 3.5 million avoidable cases of HIV/AIDS over the next decade.

What is Cama?

The Camfed Alumni (Cama) was established in 1998 as a member organization to help create post-school economic opportunities for girls who have completed their education with Camfed’s support. Cama provides a structure through which its members can develop their activism and leadership in their own communities to achieve positive social change. Today, Cama is at the forefront of health, microfinance and human rights initiatives and has a pan-African membership of 7,488, demonstrating the efficacy and sustainability of Camfed’s work.

How is Camfed funded?

Camfed’s broad base of donors includes government bodies, corporate funders, trusts and foundations and private individuals. Major donors include the Nike Foundation and the Big Lottery Fund. In 2006, Camfed’s income was over £3 million. Direct charitable expenditure has remained above 90% of income since Camfed was established in 1993.
What proportion of Camfed’s money goes directly to supporting girls in Africa?

For every pound Camfed received over the past five years, an average of 90p was spent on direct charitable expenditure to support girls’ education in Africa, 7p was invested in activities to raise another £1, and 3p was used for the management of the charity.
How does Camfed ensure that the money reaches each student?

Camfed has very strict financial policies to ensure maximum reach for every pound. There are just two transactions between the money received by Camfed and the girl being supported. The money schools receive for education costs is also managed transparently, and every family and girl knows their entitlement.

How can I contribute?

Make an donation to Camfed, buy one of our gifts, host one of our viral widgets on your website or blog, or just tell your friends about us.

Share with