As a young teenager, Katura Halleday visited Mozambique and witnessed the challenges that girls faced accessing education. That sparked her interest in educational equality, inspiring her to start the 8×8 to Educate program to provide long-term support and vital school supplies.
8×8 to Educate raises funds to provide scholarships to girls in Mozambique and Tanzania who might otherwise miss out on educational opportunities. The fund has supported 15 girls through high school to graduation and recently celebrated its first university graduate, Celia, who completed a nursing degree. Katura has expanded the program to provide manufacturing opportunities for girls to make reusable menstrual pads, so girls no longer miss school due to a lack of sanitary products, and has launched a girls literacy program.
Katura also serves her community as an active member of the Lions Club and has advocated for educational equality at the United Nations and global youth forums.