Educate My Village: A New Model for African Develo...

Educate My Village: A New Model for African Development

Audrey Galawu

Assistant Editor

Access to quality education continues to be a challenge in Zimbabwe and Africa as a whole.

Despite numerous efforts from governments, multilateral institutions, and philanthropists, access to education remains a far-fetched dream for over 98 million children in Africa and 800 000 in Zimbabwe alone.

“The call for universal access to education demands collective action and cannot be left to governments alone. This is why I am excited to note the new model for intervention in education introduced by Annot Inc, harnessing the African diaspora contingent.

“To solve our long-standing challenges in Africa, we need fresh approaches and new models for sustainable development that can move the needle,” says Annot Inc. founder Chiedza Juru.

Annot Inc. is a U.S. based non-profit organisation committed to empowering young people in Africa and the United States.

Annot's vision is to foster youth-led collaboration between the United States and Africa, nurturing knowledge exchange and partnerships that drive economic growth. This is achieved through educational initiatives, youth engagement programs, and diaspora engagement.

Chiedza, who personally experienced the transformative influence of community support on education, emphasised the necessity for strategies to address Africa’s persistent challenges.

“When my father passed away when I was 14, my family faced significant financial challenges. Despite these hardships, I persevered and was awarded the Higherlife Foundation Joshua Nkomo merit-based scholarship. This incredible opportunity allowed me to attend Africa University, where I graduated with distinctions and established a scholarship program for rural students who couldn’t afford an education. By skipping a lunch meal, we saved US$10, which was enough to send a child in the rural areas to school.

“Later, I pursued a Master's in Public Administration at Harvard Kennedy School through a Public Service Scholarship. Raised by the community and institutions that supported my education, I am deeply committed to paying it forward and opening doors for others.”

She started the Annot Inc organisation to help less privileged learners to continue with their education.

Through the EducateMyVillage programme, Annot presents a sustainable development and education intervention model that embodies the spirit of ubuntu, leveraging one’s family to help a brother or sister access education.

This new model for development is rooted in the African virtues of caring for one another and being there for one another, embodying the principle “I am because we are.”

“Today, I am humbled by the overwhelming support for the Educate My Village initiative. This support demonstrates our collective power to address our greatest challenges. Many Zimbabweans, both locally and in the diaspora, have pledged to help educate their family and community members.

“They are renovating their former schools through alumni associations, donating schoolbooks, teaching, and mentoring students. We call these heroes “Village Beacons,” as they, like a city on a hill, shine a light on educational needs in their communities,” she said.

The initiative has the potential to serve as a remedy for the educational challenge in Africa.

The African Union, Africa’s premier institution has prioritised education by officially declaring 2024 the “Year of Education,” urging all governments to accelerate progress towards achieving universal access to quality education.

Chiedza has received numerous awards for demonstrating exceptional academic ability and professional distinction including the Harvard Raymond and Josephine Vernon Award for academic excellence and distinguished contribution to the Edward S. Mason Program and Harvard Kennedy School, the Institute of Corporate Directors 40 under 40 Most Influential Young Leaders in 2022 and the Institute of Chartered Accountants Young Achievers Excellence Award in 2021.