day 21 - camfed case study

Earlier in the project, we discussed how Camfed (Campaign for Female Education) not only offers girls in rural Africa the chance to go to school; they also follow a girl throughout her educative career and offer microfinance loans to those that are interested in starting a business. Here we see the importance of education in preparing girls to own a business, and the impact an education can have on improving the economy of an entire community.

Here is a case study from Camfed:

Raised by her widowed father in rural Zimbabwe, Melody Jori showed an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age. She started her first business when she was a 19-year-old university student studying business management. "I noticed at break time that students were often wanting something to chew on, so I began selling chocolates," says Melody. 

Next, she opened a clothing boutique. Then last year, Melody defied a host of skeptics to pursue her greatest ambition: she launched The Marketer, a business magazine. "No bank would give me a loan because I didn't have collateral. Many people discouraged me. 'Such a complicated enterprise!' they would say. 'Why don't you just do buying and selling?' I persisted because I wanted to show the world that a young rural woman can accomplish something big."  

In launching the magazine, Melody is creating jobs. She employs a designer, a marketing officer, and a production manager. She trains other women in entrepreneurship. "Because of high unemployment, it's time to start creating jobs," she says. "Jobs which will help us sustain our lives."

Like many others, Melody’s education allowed her the chance to start a business and become a leader. Give a girl an education, and you’ll give her empowerment and opportunities to lead her community.

Janna