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CAMFED IMPACT REPORT
Letter from the
Executive Director
In sub-Saharan Africa, the inter-generational cycle of poverty that passes from poor mother to poor child is all too
predictable. Yet it is far from unbreakable.
At Camfed we recognize that there is an economic line below which poor parents cannot act in the best interests of their
children. This recognition is the starting point for empowering poor rural parents and communities to fulfill their longing to
provide better futures for the next generation. Camfed works closely with all those who influence girls’ lives to complement
and support existing family, community and educational structures in vital power-sharing partnerships.
This report describes the impact Camfed has had thus far by beginning with the child — by looking out at her world and,
step by step, dismantling the hurdles that stand in her way to becoming a fully empowered global citizen. She is our ‘client’
and her satisfaction with our service, with our impact on her life, is Camfed’s measure of its efficacy and integrity.
The child has grown up to expect little and to make no demands. Our success will also therefore depend upon Camfed
reflecting back to the child her intrinsic importance and worth, so that she can abandon forever the role of a grateful
beneficiary and become a girl who knows she is entitled to the rights and opportunities that should be the birthright of
every 21st century child.
This philosophy of entitlement is the impetus for our partnerships, our plans and aspirations, and our policy engagement.
Girls’ education is an imperative for poverty eradication. The ability of girls to effect change across the broadest economic
and social front is most powerfully catalyzed by their education; no other factor compares.
Perhaps the greatest evidence of the power of young women who have grown out of poverty is their philanthropic
investment in the education of other vulnerable children. Former Camfed-supported girls have galvanized community
action to support the education of 118,384 children. Cama — Camfed’s post-school network association of 14,005 young
women — is stunning evidence of the changes that educated, aspiring women contribute to whole communities through
their economic progress, their status as community and national role models, and the positive leadership they provide for
other young girls and women — a truly virtuous cycle.
Yours sincerely,
Ann Cotton OBE
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