Girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa overcome barriers to education

Location: Djibouti and 14 other countries in sub-Saharan Africa

From 2004 through 2011, the Ambassadors' Girls' Scholarship Program (AGSP) addressed key factors preventing girls and boys from completing their education. The seven-year program, implemented by FHI 360 experts, funded over 215,000 scholarships to more than 77,500 girls and boys in 2,800 communities across 15 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, mitigating the economic constraints families face. AGSP also provided HIV/AIDS education to prevent children from dropping out of school due to infection. It encouraged parents and communities to form committees, organizations and associations to create an environment supportive of education and, in particular, girls' education. Program staff trained 1,400 mentors to serve as role models. The program demonstrated the powerful synergy of integrating interventions and leaves a legacy of transformation not only for the girls whose lives it changed, but also for their families and communities.