Youth Enterprise

After school, graduates in rural Africa have few job opportunities. Yet young educated women from disadvantaged families feel a deep responsibility to provide for their siblings and to support other family members, such as a widowed parent or grandparent. The young women themselves continue to be at risk of early marriage and exploitation as they seek financial security. Through its youth enterprise programs, CAMFED is dedicated to improving the futures of young women beyond the classroom. Generating an income not only supports young women's economic independence, their life choices, and the prospects for their families; it also enables them to expand their reach as activists and philanthropists. In partnership with our alumnae network, CAMA, we work to open up new pathways for young women through training and mentorship programs, and access to seed money grants or small loans. CAMA leaders with real-life experience in setting up and running businesses provide training in business, financial literacy and life skills for the next generation of graduates. Girls are taught how to plan a business, make a profit and to save money. Alongside business skills, they learn about their rights and are trained in sexual and reproductive health. They also explore the risk of early marriage - discussing both how to avoid it themselves and how to raise awareness with other girls and young women.