Sixty-eight percent of Zambians live in poverty, and for two out of three people, farming is their main source of income. In remote areas, few girls are able to go to school, or complete their studies. Many girls are taken out of school to get married. As a result, around 42% of women living in rural areas are illiterate, compared to 23% of men.

Founded in 1996, FAWEZA (Forum for African Women Educationalists of Zambia) champions policies and programmes that promote equal access for women and girls to quality education.

Their School Libraries Project was funded by the Mandala Trust and coordinated by a team of wonderful Irish and British volunteers, who organised the shipment of school uniforms and books to Zambia. FAWEZA identified ten of the most severely disadvantaged girls’ secondary schools in Zambia, and coordinated the delivery of the shipment.

 

 

Connect with FAWEZA School Libraries Project online