Promoting STEM Subjects for Girls in Africa

Dear Supporters,

The GVI Trust first met Spark READ in October as we were expanding our presence in Zimbabwe. In came Angeline, a fearless NGO leader with a breathtaking story. A story which moved me but also inspired girls across Zimbabwe to not get married to young, but also that Science IS for girls.

In Zimbabwe, 33% of girls get married before they turn 18. This is one of the highest numbers in Africa. Thus, the question of how to manage and deal with this issue remains constant as the new Zimbabwean law which prohibits children to get married. To simply inform people of the rights of the child has proven inefficient and after researching the leading reasons to the continued practice, economic burden comes up as the number one cause. The economic burden of putting girls to school forces many parents to marry off their daughters, or for the daughters to independently make such a choice to provide financial relief to their parents. This results in girls leaving school early. To address this widespread issue, Angeline through her organisation Spark READ, sponsored girls education to provide the financial relief that a husband would otherwise carry. To take the project one step further, Angeline wanted to support girls which was challenging gender norms and wanted enter into the fields of STEM - science, technology, engineering and maths. And the response was huge. After holding information sessions across schools in Harare, applications for sponsorship flooded in. Thus, it was only the girls at the greatest risk which were selected, and who showed promising academic 

results. Whilst Spark READ paid the tuition fees for the girls, they also meet several times during the year to discuss everything science, future and children’s rights to ensure that the project was holistic. This also opened up the opportunity for early detection of any issues which may be ongoing for the girls. Now, a year after the project started the girls have graduated and are looking to start university. The GVI Trust are proud partners of Spark READ and is hoping that through your generous donations that we will be able to assist more girls to challenge stereotypes and enter into the STEM field and delay the day of being married. 

Every year 33% of girls in Zimbabwe get married before they turn 18. That is every third girl. To reduce this figure, and to challenge the gender norms in the STEM field, the GVI Trust is partnering with local organisations in Zimbabwe. By providing financial support for tuition fees, and to educate girls on their rights we are hoping to break the cycle of poverty and give girls an opportunity to enter the workforce and marriage as equals.

Thank you to our donors, fundraisers supporters and we hope that you will continue to follow our journey in 2020!

With Gratitude,

Zimbabwe STEM