Exciting results from Our Sisters Read in Kenya

Thanks to our incredible supporters, WGEP’s Our Sisters Read program is making a powerful impact in the Tharaka-Nithi region of Kenya, where low literacy rates have long been a challenge. By offering engaging reading activities, after school tutoring for struggling readers, adult literacy classes, community engagement, and access to books via remote libraries, the program is motivating and building enthusiasm among early grade readers.

The remedial reading program, a key component of Our Sisters Read, offers tutoring to help students who need support learning to read. In 2023, we piloted this program in two schools with outstanding results: over 70% of struggling grade 3 learners reached reading proficiency in just 7 weeks! Encouraged by this success, we expanded the program to 12 schools in the second phase. We’re thrilled to share that of the 223 students who received remedial tutoring,  93% achieved reading proficiency by the 12th week.

These outcomes highlight the effectiveness of WGEP’s Our Sisters Read model in raising literacy rates and empowering young learners in the communities we serve. We’re excited to build on this momentum, reaching even more students in term 3 to ensure they stay in school and gain the literacy skills that will shape their futures.

Spotlight on Senegal: Rick Steves’ Climate Smart Initiatives

Above: A family in Senegal with their newly installed sustainable mud stoves

Last year, WGEP received a grant from the Rick Steves' Climate Smart Commitment to support environmentally focused projects in Senegal. Thanks to this generous support, we've been able to train hundreds of women on how to create climate-smart cookstoves that use 70% less firewood than traditional cooking methods. In 2024, 525 women in Senegal have been trained to construct these sustainable mud stoves and 99 stoves have been built.

Above: Women in Santhiebamba, Senegal with their new sustainable mud stoves

This grant has also helped WGEP reach the next generation of climate leaders. Through Our Sisters Lead, high school students in the Sine-Saloum Delta are now learning about sustainable agriculture, reforestation, and waste management—equipping them with the tools they need to protect their environment for years to come. In June, leaders also hosted a radio program on environmental management focusing on the preservation and importance of the mangroves, sharing crucial environmental awareness information with their communities. 

Thank you to Rick Steves’ Climate Smart Commitment for their continued support of this impactful work!

Join the WGEP Associates’ Board!

Are you passionate about empowering girls through education and making a global impact? We're looking for dynamic, driven individuals to join the Women's Global Education Project's Associates' Board! 

 The Associates’ Board (AB) supports the mission of Women’s Global Education Project (WGEP) by leveraging its diverse talents to support girls’ education in rural Africa. Associates’ Board members are committed to fostering community engagement, promoting awareness, volunteering, and driving impactful fundraising efforts.

In order to join the Associates’ Board you must:

• • Be at least 21 years old
  • Display a commitment to gender equality and girls’ education
  • Attend quarterly Associates’ Board meetings in person (preferred)
  • Actively participate in one of the following committees/responsibilities:
    • • Governance (Co-Chairs, Secretary, Treasurer)
      • Fundraising/Event Planning
      • Communications/Outreach
      • Membership/Recruitment
  • Assist in selling tickets and collecting donations for 2-4 AB fundraising events
  • Agree to use of  your name and photos in press releases, on the WGEP website, and other public relations initiatives
  • Attend and help to promote WGEP’s annual fundraiser, Ndajee, in Chicago
  • Commit to a one-year membership, with the option to continue involvement after the first term
  • Give or raise $500 annually toward the mission of WGEP

Please share this opportunity with your network, and/or apply here by September 3, 2024: https://bit.ly/3ykSom0.