U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe, Rural Reading Program

Overview

The Public Diplomacy (PD) section of the U.S. Embassy Zimbabwe under the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for a Rural Reading Program. The PD section invites proposals from organizations to implement a secondary school reading program for girls in rural schools from the Matabeleland North Province. The program will improve English skills, literacy, communication capability, and critical thinking.  In partnership with the U.S. Embassy, the grantee will identify five (5) rural schools in Matabeleland North, selecting 30 students and two English teachers per school for participation in the program. The program will use books by U.S. authors that focus on leadership, equality, and women’s empowerment and will employ U.S.-style pedagogy practices, including an emphasis on open discussion and constructive debate.

The grantee will design and implement the program, facilitate access to rural schools, and distribute books. The grantee will ensure that participants are resourced to engage fully in program activities.  This may include, for example, the provision of solar lamps as needed.  Suggested activities for the program include film screenings, writing workshops, essay competitions, and a graduation ceremony at the conclusion of the program.  

The successful grantee should have experience working in rural education development and demonstrate ability to responsibly manage funds, coordinate logistics, and produce high quality programs and financial reports.

Program Objective: To improve rural students’ literacy and critical thinking skills in support of their roles as leaders in their schools and communities.

Priority Region: Project activities must take place in Matabeleland North in Zimbabwe.

Participants and Audiences: Girls between the ages of 14 to 19 years, enrolled in under-resourced secondary schools in Matabeleland North.