Silver Spring, Maryland—In a country where many young women are forced to drop out of school early due insufficient financial support, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) launched a new scholarship program, as part of an educational initiative to help young women in Gambia achieve their academic goals.
The new program, launched on November 11 with funding from ADRA International, will provide scholarships worth $350 to $450 to each of 48 girls between the ages of 11 and 20 who are currently enrolled at the Ebenezer Seventh-Day Adventist School, a privately funded educational institution located in Ebo Town, in the municipality of Kanifing, which serves more than 1,500 children from various religious and socio-economic backgrounds. Many of the students receiving the scholarships belong to low-income farming families who are unable to afford tuition and other expenses, such as uniforms and books. In addition, the majority of project participants have been forced into early marriages, a widespread practice in Gambia that often prevents girls from completing their education.
"Educating women yields some of the highest returns on all development investments, with private and social benefits for not only the direct beneficiaries, but also for their families, and society as a whole," said Beryl Aseno-Nyamwange, country director for ADRA Gambia.
Scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to improve their literacy skills and receive valuable information about reproductive health and sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, through the organization of reproductive health clubs in their schools. In addition, students will benefit from the assistance of teachers who will facilitate career talks, point to career opportunities, and guide them in pairing their talents and skills with their desired areas of study.
ADRA Gambia will also train three female teachers to be role models for the girls, providing additional opportunities for them to obtain the tools necessary to achieve their educational and life goals.
Poverty is often the primary factor in young girls in Gambia being forced into early marriages, said Aseno-Nyamwange. Their families use the dowries provided to meet the financial needs of the household. Poverty and traditional customs also encourage families to put more emphasis on educating their sons in place of their daughters, who are expected to maintain more traditional domestic roles.
According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), girls who have received an education are more likely to marry later, have smaller and healthier families, and recognize the importance of having good access to healthcare. They also have a better understanding of their own rights, and are more likely to enhance their social standing and be economically productive.
ADRA is a non-governmental organization present in 125 countries providing sustainable community development and disaster relief without regard to political or religious association, age, gender, race, or ethnicity.
Additional information about ADRA can be found at www.adra.org.
Author: Nadia McGill
Media Contact: John Torres, Senior Public Relations Manager, ADRA International 12501 Old Columbia Pike Silver Spring, MD 20904 Phone: 301.680.6357 E-mail: Media.Inquiries@adra.org
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
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