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Transport stipends boost attendance in Ella Africa literacy and internship programmes

Posted by Samara Dias

Posted 16 Dec 2025

Project: Supporting women’s livelihoods in Angola through vocational and literacy training

Over the past two weeks, we have continued to run literacy sessions consistently, with strong attendance from the 29 women enrolled. Since we introduced transport stipends, attendance has increased to 85%, and women have been arriving more regularly and on time. Sessions during this period have been particularly engaging, with participants showing increased participation.

Two women wearing head wraps writing in notebooks at wooden school desks in a classroom with plywood walls.
We completed the final literacy sessions for December, and we are preparing to issue the final transport stipend on 19 December. We have fully updated attendance registers and records.
A student pointing at a whiteboard with cursive syllables written on it while others watch in a wood-paneled classroom.
For the internship programme, all five women have continued attending their placements five days a week. The transport support has remained critical, especially during this period, as several participants shared that without the stipend they would have struggled to cover daily travel costs. The women have been able to stay consistent and focused on learning, and feedback from placement supervisors has been positive.
Women sitting at school desks writing and studying in a wooden-walled classroom with natural light from a window.
We captured photos and short video clips during literacy sessions over the past two weeks to document participation and engagement.
Women sitting at desks with papers and notebooks in a classroom with plywood walls.
We have encountered small challenges, including minor fluctuations in local transport fares and the pressure of working within a tight timeline up to 19 December. We have navigated these through close coordination and flexibility, and they have not disrupted the programme. Overall, we remain on track.

Activities:

  • Continued running literacy sessions three days a week

  • Maintained strong attendance from 29 women, reaching 85% attendance

  • Supported daily transport for five women in internship placements

  • Updated attendance registers and records

  • Prepared for final stipend distribution on 19 December

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