Some facts about the country
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a country in central Africa that has experienced several episodes of civil war since the early 2000s. Insecurity, violence and unrest have characterized the country throughout the past few years and the most recent conflict, which started in 2013, has greatly weakened access to education for the younger generations.
In this context, Ahdieh Foundation does valuable work by supporting the establishment of community schools and building the capacity of young people so that they can be responsible in the reconstruction and development of their country.
Our partner
Created in 2003 and officially recognized by the Central African government in 2006, Ahdieh Foundation aims to promote quality education for the children of the country by providing training to teachers and supporting the development of community schools. In 2013, the Ministry of Education of the Central African Republic and the Ahdieh Foundation signed an agreement granting official recognition to all schools created with the organization’s support.
Some of these primary schools are among the best performing on national exams. In addition to academic excellence, the balance between theory and practice and the emphasis on moral development and community service reinforces the quality of the education provided. Moreover, these schools are not limited to providing education to children. Other programs aimed at improving community life, particularly in the areas of agriculture and health are also emerging. Thus, in the words of one administrator of the foundation, the school becomes a “framework that allows the entire population to learn…, a centre of light, a centre that diffuses learning and promotes the emergence of unity, a centre that enables the village to feel responsible for its own destiny.”
Ahdieh Foundation has been supported by Unity Foundation since 2010, and since 2018, this collaboration has extended to its two other lines of action: the Preparation for Social Action (PSA) program and the training center. The PSA program has been used for several years during teacher training to increase knowledge and develop intellectual capacities of teachers as well as those of the members of school management committees. In addition to this, Ahdieh is now seeking to support the establishment of PSA groups for youth and adults around the schools.
Finally, the foundation’s training center builds the capacity of six other organizations working in the field of education in Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Republic of Congo, and Chad, and ensures the capitalization of the learning that emerges in these seven French-speaking African countries about the development of community schools.
Goals
Some of the numerical goals of the five-year project (2022-2026) supported by Unity Foundation are as follows:
- 9,000 children enrolled in 70 schools and accompanied by 250 teachers,
- 350 participants in the PSA program accompanied by 80 tutors,
- 30 agricultural plots and 10 backyard gardens cultivated,
- 6 organizations from French-speaking African countries supported in their activities.
Updates & stories from the field
LINES OF ACTION
Community Schools, Preparation for Social Action (PSA) program & Training Center
LOCATIONS
8 prefectures of the Central African Republic
LOCAL PARTNER
Ahdieh Foundation
COLLABORATION WITH UNITY FOUNDATION
Since 2010
DURATION
Framework agreement “accord-cadre” 2022-2026
BUDGET TOTAL
€987,989.80