Background

Literacy impacts your life across every sector - your ability to vote, to use a bank account, to access education and employment, to receive healthcare, to use the internet, and far more. It's should be no surprise that illiteracy is closely linked to lower life expectancy and quality of health, which is true even here in the UK.

In Rwanda, around a third of the adult population is illiterate, with higher illiteracy rates for women and for those living in more rural communities. Illiterate adults face educational challenges and often prioritise work over schooling, making it more likely for their children to follow in their footsteps. This can create a generational cycle that works to trap families in the poverty that affects around half of the country.

Azizi Life is a social enterprised based in Rwanda, which supports the livelihoods of local artisans and their communities. As part of their impact projects, they are investing in a 6-month literacy course to teach adults to read and write. The course is fully-funded by Azizi Life, as the students they teach could not pay for their education otherwise.

Since 2016, they have trained over 4,000 people, and have seen the powerful impact it has had on their students' confidence and successes. This year, they aim to empower another 2,000 with essential literacy skills, with over 1,000 people already signed up for the first course.

It costs around £16 to teach someone to read and write. All money raised will go directly to Azizi Life and their Adult Literacy impact project, paying for the tutors and education centres that make this amazing initiative possible.

My Role

I am honoured and excited to be a part of 2024's Team Rwanda, an international volunteering project for students at the University of Manchester as part of its commitment to social responsibility. This summer, I will undertake a month's placement in Rwanda to support the activities of Azizi Life, namely helping to research and evaluate impact projects like the aforementioned by directly surveying the local communities and analysing the data gathered.

This volunteer placement is completely funded by the university, so all money raised in this fundraiser will go directly to Azizi Life and its fantastic charitable efforts.

Thank you for any encouragement, support or donations!