ER 4 - SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS
Project Location
The project is carried out in the Missions of the Comboni Sisters in Asmara, Halib Mentel, Decamare, Senafe and Segeneiti. In each of these places we follow girls who are poor, but worthy to be sponsored and to be encouraged to attend high school.
Currently dire poverty is widespread in the country. Many families have family members who have emigrated from Eritrea and who cannot return, and often those who remain cannot count on a secure source of income with which to support themselves. The country is paralyzed, and young people do not have many prospects for a dignified future. Many families have been left without a family head because men are forced by the government into a military service that lasts many years; therefore they have very rare opportunities to see their families. Children live on what their mothers can provide.
This situation has been further aggravated by the emergency Covid 19, which paralyzed the country even more, due to lockdowns lasting weeks and months. In addition, in 2020 a new armed conflict took place in Ethiopia, which adversely affected Eritrea. And the war in Ukraine, too, led to a sharp increase of the cost of commodities. Many families are poverty-stricken and cannot contribute to their children’s school fees. Unfortunately malnutrition is widespread in this area as well, with nefarious consequences for the population.
Project description
In our Missions we are trying to help 40 girls coming from those villages to attend high school. Without our help, in fact, they do not have the possibility to continue their studies.The selected students are supported by a referent sister by means of regular group training meetings. Where necessary, they are empowered on certain subjects; consequently, the highest share of the project costs is reserved for payment of teachers charged with after-school assistance.
All students are from families living in great economic difficulty. For this reason, in some of the most critical moments of the year, we try to further assist them by also supporting their families, so that parents feel encouraged to let those girls continue their studies. Given the increase in prices, in addition to the expenses directly related to school (registration, uniforms, teaching materials) we also provide for the purchase of food, hygiene materials and medicine.
Objectives
- To provide girls with access to quality higher education
- To support girls not only in their studies, but also assist their families in case of need
Beneficiaries
Direct: 40 secondary school girls
Indirect: their families
Referent sister of the project: Sr. Mehret Michael
Project's costs