Elizabeth Matonga is one of the most successful students at the Mukamaambo Girls School in Chongwe. The grade 12 student is treasurer of the school’s Student Alliance for Female Education (SAFE) Club and wants to be a medical doctor. Two years ago, Matonga thought she would have to give up that dream because she could no longer pay her school fees. "It’s always been part of my dream to be a medical doctor," she says."It pained me to think of having to give that up."

Three scholarship recipients pose for the camera.
Photo Credit: Cornelius Chipoma/USAID

Like many other students at Mukamaambo, Matonga did "piece work," or odd jobs, to raise money for her secondary school fees. Matonga's mother works long hours as a maid on a farm, but doesn't make enough money to support her six children and pay school fees. Matonga's school work began to suffer because so much of her energy was focused on earning money.

A teacher at Mukamaambo offered Matonga a chance to continue her education when she told her about the Ambassador's Girls Scholarship Program (ASGP) offered by the Forum for African Women Educationalists of Zambia (FAWEZA). With the support of USAID, FAWEZA provides more than 700 scholarships to Zambian girls who would otherwise not be able to pay secondary school fees. "Most of these girls would be on the street doing nothing if it weren't for FAWEZA," says Rhoda Kalaula, Head Teacher at Mukamaambo, where there are 53 AGSP recipients. The scholarships cover all school fees, including boarding and incidentals. Eligible girls are identified by a school selection committee, which consists of two leading teachers at each school, student leader, as well as a representative of the parent-teacher association and the local church.

In addition to providing scholarships, FAWEZA is also working to improve the social, economic, and cultural conditions that often force girls to leave school. FAWEZA created the SAFE Club program. This program offers education in HIV/AIDS, adolescent reproductive health and life skills to girls, while giving them information to help other students and community members learn about these issues. The underlying goal of the SAFE clubs is to empower girls and raise their self-esteem. "I have benefited so much from SAFE," Matonga says. "Before I used to be so shy. Now I can stand up in front of people and express myself. I can speak out on my own."