From Education to Independence: ICN’s Fund Transforms the Lives of Orphaned Girls Over 20 Years

The International Council of Nurses (ICN) is marking 20 years of its Girl Child Education Fund (GCEF), an initiative established to help orphaned daughters of nurses continue their education despite financial hardship. The loss of a parent can leave families struggling to meet educational expenses, forcing children to reconsider their studies or give up opportunities for further education. The fund seeks to prevent this by providing financial assistance and continued support, helping girls remain in school and work towards a more independent future.

Established by ICN in 2005 as part of its Florence Nightingale International Foundation, the fund works with national nurses’ associations in Kenya, Uganda, Zambia and Eswatini. It covers essential educational expenses, including school fees, uniforms and books. Local nurse coordinators and volunteers also provide mentorship and psychosocial support, helping beneficiaries navigate personal challenges and stay focused on their education. Over the past two decades, this combination of financial and personal support has helped girls progress through school and pursue further opportunities.

The ICN’s 2025 Activity Report, published on 11 October 2026, documents the fund’s achievements across four African countries. In Kenya, 134 girls have received support, with 117 graduating and no school dropouts reported among beneficiaries. Uganda has supported 176 girls through financial assistance and academic guidance. In Zambia, more than 120 girls have benefited, with over 70 progressing to tertiary education and more than 60 achieving economic self-reliance. Eswatini has supported approximately 90 girls, many of whom have advanced to higher levels of education.

These figures show that the fund’s support has helped girls achieve more than simply completing their school education. In Uganda, Namirimu Daphine joined the programme at the age of 12 in 2013, completed secondary school and went on to pursue fashion and design studies. In Zambia, Hope Nyondo completed secondary education in 2024 and hopes to become a nurse. Alongside financial assistance, she received mentorship and regular visits from programme coordinators, who helped her remain committed to her goals. Their experiences illustrate how continued support can help beneficiaries move beyond school education towards further study and career opportunities.

Maintaining this support remains an important challenge. The ICN report identifies the need for stronger fundraising, better alumni engagement and improved pathways to higher education and vocational training. Addressing these priorities will help the fund continue supporting girls whose educational opportunities might otherwise be limited by financial hardship.

Over two decades, the Girl Child Education Fund has demonstrated how the nursing community can support the families of colleagues beyond their professional lives. By helping orphaned daughters of nurses complete school, pursue further studies and work towards financial independence, the initiative continues to turn educational support into opportunities for a more secure future.

Source

https://www.nursingtimes.net/global-nursing/nurses-helping-orphaned-children-of-colleagues-stay-in-education-12-10-2026/