SI Cardiff and District

Cape Verde Education Project

SI Cardiff and District recently gained charitable status for the Cape Verde Education Project. The project commenced in 1997 following a number of proposed project presentations which were voted upon by all club members.

The aim of the project is to provide the financial means to allow (initially six) teenage schoolgirls to complete their secondary education on order to secure access to further education or improve their employment prospects.

In Cape Verde all children have the right to remain at school until aged 17 but must pay school fees from the age of 14. This clearly precludes many young people from continuing their education.

A member of the Cardiff club regularly visits Cape Verde, established the initial contacts and liaises with the island's voluntary group Esperanca, who monitor the project and report on progress to the Cape Verde Committee in Cardiff.

The girls in the project are selected for being hard working and intelligent and capable of graduating. They must be from financially disadvantaged families where it would be impossible for school fees to be paid. The selection process is carried out by Esperanca.

Schools are asked to submit the names of eligible girls to Esperanca, a body primarily comprised of teachers who distribute the ‘grants’ provided to the successful girls on a monthly basis.

In view of the shortage of job opportunities in Cape Verde, any young woman who graduates stands a far better chance of finding work. Of the original six girls supported by SI Cardiff, five completed their secondary education successfully and of these four are now undertaking university courses. The girl who did not graduate from school remains in contact with SI Cardiff, is in full time employment and is studying a part-time English course.

As the girls have graduated, they have been replaced by new girls aged 13 - 14. Six girls continue to be supported by the club but interest shown by other clubs has resulted in additional girls deriving benefit from the project.

SI Aireborough and SI Bridgend each sponsor a girl and recently SI Portland East in America joined the project and now sponsor a further girl

Following a talk on the project by the co-ordinators, SI Barry and District have expressed an interest in joining the project.

Anyone wishing to learn more about the project is welcome to contact the club.

For more information on the work of SI Cardiff and District visit their website