Projects – The Cape Verde educational project

The project is a registered charity number 1114911

The SI Cardiff & District Education Trust supports young girls of secondary school age on the Cape Verdian island of Sao Vicente. Cape Verde is a country comprising 10 main islands and some smaller ones. It is off the west coast of Africa. Cape Verde is a third world country but it is making great strides towards self-improvement.

Education is free until the age of 14. Many able children have to leave school at 14, as their parents are unable to meet the costs involved for them to remain in school.

It costs approximately £100 a year to enable one girl to stay on at school. Without the support of the SI Cardiff & District club, these girls would probably undertake menial jobs below their educational potential. The girls supported by the Cape Verde Project are carefully selected and must be motivated, keen and willing to work hard in school.

When the project started in 1996, six girls were supported and almost all have gone on to further education.

Currently, five girls are supported by SI Cardiff & District, Ana Maria, Romina, Sara and Tania. A further seven girls are suported by other clubs and individuals. SI Aireborough support Edna, SI Bridgend Jocilene, SI Swansea Joelma, Pam Allinson a member of SI Barry supports Jussara, Carys Brown from SI Bridgend supports Catia, Enid Child of SI Cardiff & District supports Edileida and an anonymous donor supports another girl. The project directly links to SI aims.