History of the Fund

 

Since 1925 the Commonwealth Countries League has worked to promote the development, education and empowerment of women.   Through its charity, the CCL Education Fund, formed in the 1960’s, it sponsors girls of proven potential enabling them to complete their secondary or high school education where, without such help, they would be unable to do so.

 

The challenge of providing free and universal education at secondary or high school level in countries struggling with development, health and economic issues cannot always be met.  Even when basic tuition is provided free, families may not be able to afford the associated costs – travel, uniform, books, exam fees.  Boarding may be essential.   Girls can be especially vulnerable if they are expected to remain at home to care for the family or work in the fields or markets.   Sadly in some cases education for girls is still viewed as a waste of time.

 

Sponsorship by the Fund is not a soft option – a detailed application form has to be completed, sponsorship is on an annual basis and progress is monitored.   No money is sent to the girl or to her family – payment is made direct to the account of the school or a recognized organization ensuring funds are secured and used to best advantage.

 

Our girls are valued as individuals and some of them write of their pride and joy at being selected for sponsorship.   They also tell how they then teach other members of their families what they have learnt and of their plans for the future.   As one “old girl” wrote from Nigeria:

 

“Once I get a job I will pick one girl from my extended family and sponsor.

I know it is a worthy cause”.

 

The main funding for the charity comes from the annual Commonwealth Fair held in London during November.   Donations are also received from companies and individuals but if the work is to continue and expand we need all the help we can get.

 

 

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 “Your support and encouragement when my parents died gave me a sense of belonging.  I had given up in life but now with your sponsorship nothing can deter me from scoring the highest marks in class”

 

How we find the girls

 

 

The girls are referred to the Education Fund from a diverse network of contacts in the Commonwealth.

 

The Fund has sponsored some 2,000 girls in over 30 Commonwealth countries giving them the opportunity to achieve their ambitions, expand their horizons and take their rightful place in the community.   Many have gone on to careers in medicine, teaching, tourism, telecommunications and accountancy.   Others work in libraries, the legal system, the computer industry and forestry/agriculture.  All have developed skills benefiting themselves, their families and their communities;  many have a status previously denied them.

 

The work continues – from Pakistan to Papua New Guinea, Guyana to The Gambia, Bangladesh to Belize, the Solomon Islands to St Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago to Tanzania and Ghana to Grenada.

 

“One day I will be the one offering sponsorship to

the children of my country and other countries”

 

Where we find the girls

 

 

So many different needs, so much determinations, so much hope for the future.  The following is a snapshot of just a few of “Our Girls”.

 

BELIZE

In 2004, Vicky aged 14 was in fear of leaving school as her parents’ financial struggles placed her in a situation of debt with her school.   With a CCL grant she has year on year achieved outstanding results up to her graduation in 2007 when Vicky emailed us :”I want to thank you all for sponsoring me with a scholarship.   I by the grace of God managed to come second place in the whole school compound.  That is, I am salutatorian for the year 2006-7.   Thanks again for your help.”

 

CAMEROON

Some are completing their ‘A’ levels, others are about to sit GCSEs.   Susan in her appeal for sponsorship wrote:  “…My father is an alcoholic and …is presently serving 25 yrs in prison …Life is very difficult for us….  Staying in the boarding school is the best thing in my life.  There I do not hear all the abuses and shouting…”

 

THE GAMBIA

Secondary school remains a dream for many in The Gambia – especially for girls.   Olimatou and Susan are being supported for 2 years to enable them to complete their higher secondary education.   Olimatou wrote:  “…I live in an extended family and encountered financial difficulties especially fees and transportation to school.  My father use to try very hard to pay for me.  Since I am not the only one going to school, he finds it challenging to meet the cost…”   Susan said “…For without any assistance from you I will not complete my schooling as a reslt I might become a failure in life because of lack of education which creates a brighter future for everyone who undergoes it. …”

 

INDIA

Sarmila’s parents are daily waged landless agricultural labourers in Tamil Nadu.   “…Even though I obtained 373 marks in the 10^th std. my parents are finding it extremely hard to continue my education due to the poverty in the family.   Therefore through your institution if I am assisted for my education I will study very well to become a teacher and will help the poor children like me for their education in the future. …”

 

JAMAICA

Julian’s headmaster was concerned by her situation and sought sponsorship.   Living in a board structure with external amenities and having to travel 12 miles to school, he described her as a hardworking, committed individual who displayed good conduct at school.  She was awarded the prize for the Most Outstanding Performance in Grade 7, but paralleled with deterioration in her family’s financial situation was a dip in her results in Grade 8.   Sponsored since 2007. she has gone back to delivering top grades and continues to state that her ambition is to become an aerospace engineer.   She also expresses deep gratitude for the invaluable support of the CCL Education Fund.

 

KENYA

Some of the girls sponsored in Kenya have been affected by the recent troubles – their dormitories have been raised to the ground.   As an emergency we have taken on a number of girls to enable them to complete their ‘O’ levels later this year.

 

MALAWI

Colias was brought to our attention having missed school for months at a time, due to non-payment of fees.   Her headteacher appealed to the Fund as the mother wants her daughter to marry, but Colias wants to learn, and is determined to achieve her ambition and go to university and be an accountant, enabling her to help her mother and sisters.  “I will work hard towards the creation of a charity for orphans so that they do not suffer the way I am doing and also that they may view the world more positively than I am viewing it.”

 

NIGERIA

Hafsat is fourteen.   Her father is dead and her mother is unemployed.   It is hoped that sponsorship will enhance her performance when the financial burden is lifted.   Hafsat is concerned with women’s issues, especially their wellbeing in regard to the damaging effects of female genital mutilation.   It is with this in mind that she would like to study medicine.

 

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

It is difficult for girls to receive higher secondary schooling in PNG and the Fund supports a number of girls in the Western Highland Province where communications can be difficult.

 

UGANDA

Sponsored since 2005, here is Aidah’s latest letter:  “I am happy to write to the Board and express my appreciations.  My mother is grateful and the three other friends (sponsored girls) because in the last school meeting the director of studies introduced us to the parents who had assembled in the school conference hall and applauded us for a good academic change and excellent progress.  This certainly makes us proud.   At the beginning of the term the school organized essay writing competitions at two levels, O and A level.   I was lucky I was the second at O level and the 5^th in the whole school.   In fact at no time did I think these fortunes would come my way had the support not been given.   Thank you for your effort in making us receive our money much as the banks have made it impossible.   Our principal has cautioned us that if we exhibit poor performance he will inform the trustees and ask them to delete us from this programme.  So we are working towards achieving promising results, not only this term but in the UCE exams.  I feel I do not want to stop writing but I should.   Send my warm greeting to each one of you in UK.”