Home Girl Child Education Fund Frequently Asked Questions

------ Girl Child Education Fund ------

FAQS

GIRL CHILD EDUCATION FUND
A Nursing Initiative for Orphaned Girls

Frequently Asked Questions

 

 

1) What is the aim of the Girl Child Education Fund (GCEF)?
The Fund supports the primary and secondary schooling of the orphaned daughters of nurses in developing countries, through the provision of school fees, uniforms and books.

2) Why girls?
The GCEF is an extension of the Girl Child Initiative, developed and implemented by the International Council of Nurses and the Florence Nightingale International Foundation (FNIF), and aiming to build sound public policy for the healthy development of girls. A key element of such policy is girls’ access to education. Through the GCEF we seek to address the education needs of a vulnerable group of children - orphaned daughters of nurses.  

3) Why is the Fund concentrating on orphans?
Being orphaned is a significant barrier to achieving gender parity in education.  Today, there are close to 16 million children worldwide orphaned by HIV/AIDS. These children are often the first to be denied education when their extended families cannot afford to educate them.  Orphaned girls may be the first to be taken out of school to provide child care at home.

4) Why is education important?
Education plays a key role in improved health and poverty reduction. It leads to lower birth rates and infant mortality rates, better health, nutrition and gender equity, higher productivity, and improved chances that the next generation will in turn be educated. However, due to poverty, illness, cultural practices, fear and violence, girls account for 60 percent of the estimated 113 million out-of-school children.  The majority of these live in sub-Saharan Africa.

5) Where is the Fund operating?
In line with the Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education by 2015, the Fund is initially focused on countries in Africa, where the need is greatest.   The Fund was launched in 2006 in 4 sub-Saharan countries: Kenya, Swaziland, Uganda and Zambia.

6) How does your orphan support system work?
ICN and FNIF are working in partnership with ICN member national nurses associations to ensure that the funding directly supports the education needs of girl orphans.

7) How much does it cost to send a girl to school?
While costs vary between countries, approximately US$ 200 (£112) will cover the annual costs of uniforms, school books, and fees for each girl for primary education, and approximately US$600 (£336) for secondary education. Contributions can be made through the FNIF website at: www.fnif.org/girlfund.htm

8) How is the GCEF funded?
The GCEF is supported by donations from individuals, and public and private organisations, with a special focus on the global nursing community.

9) Will I be able to have contact with the orphan I am helping to support?
We have a pooled Fund and do not match donors with the girls we are supporting. Our member NNAs have the only contact with the schools and orphans and they maintain discretion to preserve the dignity and privacy of the girls. We do not become involved in these interactions, believing this is in the best interest of the child.

10). How can I get information about how your programme is working?
We provide general information about progress of the Fund and other details about the initiative at regular intervals on the website and for our donors through newsletters.

11). How can I become involved?
At this point in the development of the programme, the most important way in which you can become involved and help the Fund to get girls in school is through making a donation. Please see below.

12) How can I donate?
We offer a secure online donation process, please see www.fnif.org/girlfund.htm

13). What are your contact details?
Florence Nightingale International Foundation
International Council of Nurses
3, place Jean Marteau
CH 1201 Geneva, Switzerland
Tel : +41 22 908 01 00
Fax: +41 22 908 01 01

14) What is the Florence Nightingale International Foundation?
FNIF is the International Council of Nurses (ICN)’s premier foundation; it supports and complements the work and objectives of ICN. FNIF is a registered charity in the United Kingdom and maintains its original purpose: to support the advancement of nursing education, research and services for the public good. While UK registered, the day-to-day administration is carried out in Geneva through the International Council of Nurses, a federation of 129 national nurses’ associations working to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.

12) What is the International Council of Nurses?
The International Council of Nurses is a federation of 129 national nurses associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide.  Operated by nurses for nurses since 1899, ICN is the international voice of nursing and works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.

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