BACKGROUND

Poverty and HIV/AIDS in Mozambique’s Zambézia Province have kept many children from staying in school. About 75% live in absolute poverty where the HIV prevalence rate of women and men age 15-49 is 15.1%. Poor teaching quality, long distances to schools, early pregnancy and marriage, gender-based violence, child labor and negative attitudes towards girls’ schooling are major challenges to the education of girls in Zambézia. Girls’ average completion rates in Zambézia are 23% percent at the upper primary level and 4% at the secondary level.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Nikhalamo aims to reduce obstacles that impede girls from attending and completing secondary school.  The program works in 18 primary schools and three secondary schools in the Namacurra district. Through mentoring, community engagement, and education and life-skills programs, Nikhalamo focuses on increasing vulnerable girls’ enrollment in, retention in, and completion of secondary school.  Furthermore, in order to achieve high quality learning outcomes, the activity seeks to improve the quality of girls’ lives and strengthen community members’ participation and support of girls’ primary and secondary level education.  

EXPECTED RESULTS/IMPACTS

The activity aims to increase by 20% the number of orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) girls in Namacurra who transition to secondary school.  Results to date include:

• 335 new OVC girls are enrolled for the 2017 school year;
• More than 2,900 boys and girls in 21 communities have participated in activities to increase awareness of the importance of girls going to school;
• Community awareness campaigns aimed at combatting early marriage and incentivizing girls to stay in school conducted across 21 communities;
• Construction and branding of latrines in seven primary schools  completed;
• Twelve pre-schools established to retain more girls in school. The pre-schools provide a safe educational space for OVC girls’ younger siblings, thus affording the time for them to attend school; and
• Girls’ Clubs established in 18 communities to provide a setting for girls to discuss gender-related issues.