From Resistance to Resilience: A Girl’s Fight for Education in Rural East Africa
Linnet’s story is one of hard work, resilience, opposition, and transformation. It highlights the crucial role education plays in breaking cultural barriers and opening up new paths for the youth in rural East Africa
Growing up in a strict religious family, Linnet faced strong opposition when it came to schooling. Her parents, like many in their community, believed that a girl’s role was in the home—learning domestic duties and preparing for marriage. They feared that sending Linnet to school would go against their cultural values and bring shame to the family.
When our team at Asante Africa Foundation met Linnet and her parents, we saw her potential immediately. She, like many other girls, simply needed a chance. We introduced our scholarship program to her family, hoping to get her enrolled right away. But the resistance was firm. Her parents believed education would distract her from tradition and prevent her from getting married—something seen as unacceptable.
This belief delayed Linnet’s access to school. Her parents insisted that girls should focus on learning to care for a home, not on books and classrooms. Fortunately, parents were already actively engaged in the area. Through ongoing conversations with Linnet’s parents, alongside the support of community leaders and teachers, we were able to open up dialogue. We talked about how education could equip their daughter with useful skills, not just for herself, but for their whole family. We also shared real-life stories of young people who had succeeded through education.
Gradually, their mindset began to shift. They agreed to let Linnet begin school, and she was enrolled through our scholarship program. Linnet quickly became involved in our Youth Livelihood Program and the Wezesha Vijana Program. She learned about leadership, saving, budgeting, hygiene, and entrepreneurship. Before long, she started teaching what she had learned to her younger siblings. Her parents watched as their younger children began to read and write—something they hadn’t expected. It was the beginning of a new understanding.
Today, Linnet is focused on completing her education. She hopes to become a teacher and support other girls facing the same barriers she once faced. Her story shows how important parental support is in improving education and changing the future of communities. But Linnet is just one of many.
According to the United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative (UNGEI), over 700,000 girls in Uganda between the ages of 6 and 12 have never been to school. Half of the girls between 15 and 24 cannot read or write. Many are married before the age of 18, with some married as early as 15. This limits their opportunities and keeps them from reaching their full potential.
At Asante Africa Foundation, we work closely with parents because we believe that lasting change starts with families. When parents, guardians, and mentors are involved, children are more likely to succeed. Our work in East Africa has shown that collaboration with families helps shift social norms and makes education more acceptable and accessible. Parental engagement doesn’t just create a pathway to school—it helps build a future where more children, like Linnet, are given the opportunity to thrive.
Parents continue to play pivotal roles in challenging societal norms and reshaping them in a way that empowers the youth. Our parental engagement in the East African communities has proven that working collectively with parents and guardians allows us to achieve improvement in educational outcomes both psychologically and structurally. Parental engagement has served as a vital communication tool and has paved the way for the youth in rural East Africa to be able to thrive in the classroom and reach their full potential.
Want to see how our Wezesha Vijana Program (WVP) is making this possible for more youth like Linnet 👉 Learn more about WVP and how you can support education, empowerment, and lasting change across East Africa.