Pioneers for change

Women financiers gathered last month to hear how Camfed is turning the tide of poverty in rural communities across sub-Saharan Africa by educating girls. The Competitor Diversity Forum (CDF) was set up by female managing directors from the world’s leading investment banks to promote women in the financial services industry. At their annual charity dinner in London, these high-flying women heard from Camfed’s Executive Director Ann Cotton and Camfed patron Allison Pearson – prize-winning journalist and author of I Don’t Know How She Does It.

Allison told the story of her two grandmothers from Wales, who were forced to leave school at the age of 13 to enter domestic service:

“When she was still a child, one grandmother - Mamgi Four Roads - would get up at first light and help with the chores around the farm before walking several miles down the valley to start the chores for the family in the big house. Then she would walk home, help boil the water on the range for her father’s bath before starting her evening chores.”

“We all took away with us the feeling that with our donations, we could make a real difference to the communities Camfed works with.” Tiina Lee, Managing Director, Deutsche BankMamgi’s story resonates with the stories Camfed hears everyday from girls in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana and Tanzania about the reality of life without an education. Ann told the story of Frieda, a young woman from Zambia, who was orphaned aged 16 and took on the responsibility for all her siblings. With education and a business grant from Camfed, Frieda is transforming the lives of the young family.

Thanks to the generosity of CDF members on the night, 50 girls will enrol and complete four years of secondary education. And many of the attendees are opening doors to multiply the impact of the evening for girls and women in Africa.

“Look how, within a hundred years, our own society has been made new by the participation of women,” Allison concluded. The challenge is on to transform the face of Africa through the education of its women.