COVID-19 HAS DESTROYED 25 YEAR’S WORTH OF PROGRESS

According to the latest report by UNESCO, 180 million more girls have enrolled in primary and secondary school since 1995, and girls’ learning outcomes have improved.

Did you know:

  • When girls attend a secondary school, it is possible to reduce infant mortality and thousands of others escape stunted growth

  • When girls attend school, the prevalence of child marriage is reduced

  • When girls are educated, they are able to make better-informed choices and create better opportunities for themselves

Sadly, the Coronavirus pandemic has destroyed much of the progress made and threatens to be a hindrance for better educational outcomes in years to come as the after-effects of the virus is continuously felt by the poorest of the poor.

At JAM, we’ve witnessed first-hand the impact of an educational opportunity. This bolstered by a bowl of nourishing, life-giving food serves to provide even further positive outcomes for children, especially the girl child.

When a crisis hits, like war or any natural disaster, the female beneficiaries tend to suffer the most. Why? Cultural norms dictate that females should not be open to opportunity and need to request permission for access to basic services such as healthcare. Furthermore, in poorer communities, the value of a working girl-child contributing towards the household income is far more valuable than a girl-child attending school, which in return, requires funding.

Through a variety of programmes, all aimed at providing stability as well as sustainability, JAM strives to improve the plight of the girl-child.

Food and nutritional interventions offer a solution to short-term hunger by encouraging young girls to attend school each day in order to receive a school meal. As the impact of this is seen and felt by struggling families, school attendance increases because it lightens the burden on families having one less mouth to feed. Food security and livelihood programming allows for the integration of dietary diversity as well as financial security for women in communities, by teaching and training them in vegetable gardening. Through these programmes, JAM is assisting to educate and empower women. Provision of clean water sources in a community further aims to protect the female beneficiary, those that are usually tasked with walking many kilometres in search of clean water. Education and awareness about hygiene is also vital, especially in areas where clean water is not immediately available.

JAM’s holistic approach means we’re able to support those who are vulnerable in a variety of ways, all of which are intended to improve their standard of living and provide dignity.

We remain committed to an Africa that thrives, bringing hope and opportunities for a brighter future for young girls.

Ann

Ann Pretorius
Global CEO and Co-founder
JAM international

Partner with JAM and create a better future for young girls in Africa

VIDEO: MATTHEW'S STORY

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=roDhl5QZNvg[/embedyt]

EMPOWERING WOMEN TO CREATE BETTER COMMUNITIES

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] At 46-years-old, Nyanut is, for the first time in...