In some of the more rural areas in Ethiopia, only about 35% of girls complete lower secondary school. And access to the internet and modern technology is extremely limited, so a lot of girls never used the computer before. Girls Growing Education establishes computer-based learning labs across Ethiopia. One really important aspect of our computer labs is that they operate completely offline using a small edtech device preloaded with educational resources, such as the entire Khan Academy curriculum, and one device can hotspot an entire classroom of learners.
Traveling to Ethiopia was an extremely special experience. I felt such a deep connection to the girls, and it was really inspiring to see the impact were making on the community. Another big highlight was an edtech summit that we organized, and it featured members from The World Bank, UNICEF Ethiopia, and we talked about ideas to empower female students. My dream for these young women is that they will use the confidence and curiosity as a catalyst for the trajectory of their lives.