Members of the South Sudanese Diaspora and their American friends founded Africa Education & Leadership Initiative in 2006 as an international non-governmental organization. They believed that offering South Sudanese girls increased access to quality education could create economic opportunities for women and their families, improve health literacy, and deter conflicts arising from discrimination and extremism. Africa ELI’s founders believed that educated young women would be able to help their families and communities prosper.

Africa ELI’s Mission: To build gender equity, improved economic conditions, peaceful development, and strengthened leadership capacity in South Sudan by advancing women’s education through academic sponsorships, partnerships, retention programs, and life-skills development.

Africa ELI considers the education of young women and girls the single most effective solution to ending endemic civil strife in South Sudan. When half the population has no access to education, South Sudan has little practical hope for change. Women who lack access to educational resources are unable to assist in the elimination of  chronic problems in their communities that include malnutrition, malaria, AIDS, gender-based violence, and poverty.

By educating the future mothers, teachers, business owners, and leaders of South Sudan, Africa ELI hopes to initiate a ripple effect of benefits, permeating South Sudanese family life, relationships, health, and economic development.

Africa ELI works to:

• Increase education access for girls
• Improve education and learning environment quality
• Improve student retention rates
• Reduce high-risk student behaviors
• Enhance leadership and career skills
• Improve English language skills