CHANGE

Project completed implementation in October 2023

People In Need’s Change project seeked to support up to 31,000 girls to improve their learning outcomes, with a principal focus on improving literacy and numeracy. In Ethiopia, complex and numerous cultural, social and economic barriers stood in the way of girls accessing education and, once in education, there were high drop-out rates.

The project aimed to increase enrolment, attendance and learning by providing safe and inclusive alternative learning programmes, and training teachers in child and gender sensitive education. It also facilitated girls’ enrolment to alternative/accelerated structures and provided families with revolving funds for investment in income generating activities and small business start-ups, institutionalising a savings culture among Self Help Groups (SHGs) to serve as a safety net fund.

Activities

• Delivered Alternative Basic Education programmes for younger girls aged 10-14 and Integrated Adult Functional Literacy for 15-19 year olds, with transferral to relevant government bodies to improve systems, deepen knowledge and ensure sustainability of the programme.
• Linked short-term Technical and Vocational Education and Training programmes to support transition to meaningful employment.
• Established self-help groups to provide life skills, psychosocial care, rights awareness, income generating activities training, business management guidance and peer support, with linkages to credit institutions and cooperatives.
• Created girls’ clubs for both in-school and out-of-school girls.
• Allocated resources for improvement works for Accelerated Learning Programmes facilities including gender-segregated toilets, learning supplies and sanitary pads.
• Worked with communities to drive attitudinal change around girls’ education and monitor harmful practices towards girls, with reporting mechanisms for children who are at risk.

People in Need: https://www.clovekvtisni.cz/en/