"Education is the only thing no-one can ever take away from you" - Educate to Empower Programme Participant
"Better educated women tend to be more informed about nutrition and healthcare, have fewer children, marry at a later age, and their children are usually healthier, should they choose to become mothers. They are more likely to participate in the formal labour market and earn higher incomes. All these factors combined can help lift households, communities, and countries out of poverty" - The World Bank
FIDEM is passionate about the transformative power of education, and we work with participants directly at a grassroots level to enable them to access learning so that they can increase their confidence, prioritise their independence and achieve their career and life goals on their own terms.
We have been providing vocational assistance to vulnerable women since our inception in 2018. Building on our knowledge and experience to date, in September 2020 we officially formalised and launched our Educate to Empower Programme, which is open to participants across Malta and Gozo.
This multi-year project will enable multiple vulnerable women and adolescent girls to access life-changing learning opportunities.
The programme will fund the cost of educational courses and learning materials for successful applicants who have found a learning opportunity which would positively impact their future, but cannot currently pursue it without financial support.
Our fully rounded support includes access to psychological support services and childcare services when required too, as well as job placement assistance. We stand alongside participants practically and emotionally throughout their educational journeys.
We also fund urgently needed practical learning materials such as educational books, laptops or PC's, school supplies and school uniforms for women, adolescent girls and children on an ongoing basis.
"It was my dream to continue my studies at MCAST. I couldn't afford a computer, thanks to FIDEM's support I can now do my lectures on a computer instead of on my mobile. Using a computer is much more encouraging and comfortable" - Participant
Our first cohort of programme grantees selected in September 2020 are pursuing a range of learning opportunities; from returning to school to take their O Levels and A Levels with the ambition to go on to university to study Law, to a social care course, professional make-up course and an English as a foreign language course.
One of these participants is an 18-year-old Maltese girl, Phoenix (name changed), from a single parent family with five siblings, who have been affected by domestic violence. Phoenix had to drop out of school due to ill health, and has also had to work since she was 14 to help support the family. She wanted to go back to sixth form to study for her A Levels, and ultimately aims to become a lawyer.
Phoenix is a very determined and inspirational young woman, and FIDEM, in partnership with one of our supporters, is supporting her to go back to school and pursue her studies by providing school books, a laptop and other vital educational materials. We look forward to standing alongside Phoenix in her educational journey on a long-term basis, both practically and emotionally.
Support women and girls to transform their future through the power of education by making a donation to our Educate to Empower Programme here.
Watch this space to find out when our Educate to Empower Programme will next be open to new applicants to join our third cohort.
The application process involves emailing our Secretary Judith Valletta on info@fidem.org.mt with full details of the educational course you wish to take, including the total cost, and telling us how this opportunity will make a difference to your life.
Applicants must be over 18 and based in Malta or Gozo. Courses can be online or in person. Terms and conditions apply. We will keep in touch with you to follow your progress and support you on your journey.
