Investing in education is investing in the future
Barefoot Initiative believes that education is an important part of the future.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.
Nelson Mandela
Education for all has always been an integral part of the sustainable development agenda. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that have been developed as part of the post 2015 development agenda include education for social development. In Goal 4 of the SDGs it reads "Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote life-long learning opportunities for all" and includes a set of associated targets.
In 2010, community leaders in Yooren requested that Barefoot Initiative support Afar students who had completed high school to study at a tertiary level. In response to this request, Barefoot Initiative started the scholarship program, which over time has evolved, and where we now are proud to support Waklisa, our Afar-led partner, with funding for the now established scholarship program that helps Afar youth pursue higher education. Waklisa leads the program locally and works closely with community leaders to strengthen pathways for young women, who often face additional barriers to completing high school and relocating for further study. Together, we are supporting more Afar students to access education in ways that are locally led, community supported and grounded in long-term opportunity.
The total number of students sponsored by the project to date is 23 (7 female), 18 of whom have graduated. The remaining 5 (2 female ) students are studying Nursing, Economics and Finance.
The objectives for this project are:
Providing equal access for an opportunity to a tertiary education
Eliminating gender disparities in education and provide equal opportunity to all genders to a tertiary education
Strengthen the skilled human resources of the Afar by building the capacity of its young people
