For International Human Rights Day this year, we are proud to release the findings from an independent evaluation of Watipa’s social impact 2017-2023.
The impact evaluation was conducted by Matthew Allen, a consultant and fellow with the Professional Impact Network (PIN) of Social Impact Hub. The evaluation of Watipa’s social impact was guided by a theory, which sought to examine and test the causal logic connecting organisational activities to intended outcomes and impacts.
The objectives of the evaluation were to examine the extent to which existing data suggests Watipa is making progress towards its short and long- term outcomes and to generate learnings and feedback from existing data to help inform future iterations of Watipa’s support programs and activities.
Overall enrolment rates in sub-Saharan Africa are very low, at approximately 11% of the population for males, and 8% of the population for females. Authors have highlighted that higher-education completion rates are a significant challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, and that there is an estimated attrition rate of around 50% for Africa as a whole. In comparison, in OECD countries, 39% of full-time students who enter a bachelor’s program graduate within the theoretical duration of the program, with this rate increasing to 68% after three additional years.
The evaluation highlighted the following main findings:
1: Watipa scholarships enable students to complete higher education at nearly the same rate as their OECD counterparts.
2: Watipa scholars graduate from higher education at a rate approximately 17% higher than the average for Africa as a whole.
3: 97% of Watipa scholars believe they would not have been able to complete their degrees without Watipa’s support.
4: The majority of Watipa scholars feel that the scholarship programme has increased their chances of finding a job.
5: Inclusion in Watipa’s programs has a significant impact on self-confidence for the majority of participants.
6: Qualitative data suggests a strong connection between Watipa’s support and an increased commitment to community organising.
7: Watipa scholars overwhelmingly see themselves as role-models for their communities, and actively seek out opportunities to ‘pay forward’ the benefits they receive through Watipa’s scholarships and programmes.
“I have worked as a role-model in community day secondary schools in my community, providing one-on-one and small group talks to students on the importance of education, why they should put education as priority in their lives, and providing them with study skills which will help them now and in the future.”
The availability of role-models is a significant determinant of inclination to engage in higher education, with several studies indicating that role models should be a core part of efforts to encourage participation in education. This is particularly the case for women, who are dramatically under-represented in higher education in sub-Saharan Africa. Evidence has shown that having relatable role models serves to increase women’s participation in higher education. As such, we can state that there is a clear connection between Watipa’s activities and the capacity to provide positive role-modelling, both at a community and a regional/national level.
“I am a role model and an inspiration to girls and young women in my community. The scholarship has proved to my community that ‘once you educate a girl child everything changes’.”
The report concluded:
“It is clear that, without Watipa’s support, the young people would have faced significant barriers and challenges to completing their studies. By investing in future leaders through education funding, mentorship and support, Watipa is contributing to improving livelihoods and communities in developing countries, while also fostering grassroots community capacity and helping to create local leaders who are capable and empowered to work on some of the most significant issues facing their communities and their countries.”
In July 2024, an Impact Map (image below) for Watipa was produced in consultation with staff, directors and program alumni, followed by the creation of an updated outcomes measurement framework detailing indicators and data collection methods to support Watipa’s ongoing monitoring, evaluation and learning efforts.
We thank you Matthew Allen for his evaluation, and for the insightful findings and guidance with the new outcomes measurement framework that will help us continue to make an impact well into the future.
Read the summary Watipa Impact Report [download PDF]