Giving Compass' Take:

• Camfed is an NGO that works in Africa to provide support services for young girls and help find them paths to education. Women employees from Camfed share their success and steps to take to create lasting change. 

• Camfed employs young women from their CAMA alumni network. Why is it powerful to hire people who have been through the program? How is it an effective approach to have them speak at events? Have you seen this model in other sectors? Is it as successful?

• The work that Camfed is doing in Africa is very important so that young women can get an education, and as a way to protect them from child marriages. 

My friend and colleague Angeline Murimirwa is preparing to speak at the Skoll World Forum in Oxford on the 12th of April, alongside social entrepreneurs and leaders of change from around the globe. Once unable to afford decent school clothes or even a pencil to write with, today Angie is Executive Director in Africa for the international NGO Camfed, which supported us both to complete our education in Zimbabwe.

Together, we are using our lived experience of poverty and marginalization to turn things around for ourselves, and for the next generation. CAMA is made up of educated young women, who, once marginalized, have blossomed into leaders, philanthropists, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers and teachers, all committed to making lasting change.

Perhaps most important of all is this changing of attitudes. Our approach is not to point a finger of blame, but to look to the future and work in partnership with community members including traditional leaders, men and boys.

And here is our advice to others who want to bring about change around the globe:

1. Just get started! Start with what you have and what you know. Your own experience is valuable. Use your empathy and your wisdom.

2. Form partnerships. Ask for help and reach out to others. Understand that you may have to partner with people you don’t agree with and that this is what is required to change perceptions, and to achieve something that benefits everybody.

3. Never stop learning and be open to criticism. Be willing to be told that your idea or your approach is not right. Be willing to unlearn. Listen to others and be open.

Read the full article about girls' education from Camfed at Medium.