Education is a basic human right and often a way out of poverty. Thus, governmental policies and other agencies emphasize access to free or low-cost education. While providing free education is a worthy goal, access alone is not sufficient. What happens when students are too poor to take advantage of it? Can anyone be really too poor to afford “free” education? If such a scenario exists, what does it mean to provide holistic educations for a community? To change the conversation from seemingly distant “future value of education” to immediate “what I will get today,” or more importantly, “why should I go to school today?” We in the Rukmini Foundation realized that we need to think differently and come up with innovative solutions. Through this post, we will summarize our key efforts that shed lights on these vexing questions, which are common to all underdeveloped nations in the world.
HakiElimu, a Tanzanian CSO working since 2001 to see an open, just, and democratic Tanzania, where all people enjoy the right to education that promotes equity, creativity, and critical thinking, is directing research-based advocacy to support girls’ education. Through the Right to Education Index (RTEI) (www.rtei.org), HakiElimu found that girls’ expulsion from school because of pregnancy is not only legal but also commonplace in Tanzania.
Fundraising can be a fun and effective way to raise money for a cause or trip. Throughout life, particularly if you wish to work in the social sector, you will often be in a position where you will need to fundraise to support a cause or an organization. Many large nonprofits have entire divisions dedicated to fundraising. Fundraising is a skill that transfers into many other careers. Fundraising can enhance your financial management, interpersonal skills, commitment, creativity and productivity. While it can be challenging to raise funds, it can also be very rewarding. Fundraising is also a great resume builder.
Girl Rising, the 5th anniversary film at the heart of Girl Rising’s campaign for girls’ education and empowerment, features nine girls who have confronted challenges in going to and staying in school. While these girls exhibit extraordinary courage, strength, and perseverance, they are also thoroughly ordinary – representing some of the millions of girls around the world struggling to go to and stay in school.
"Traveling to Nepal (or any developing country for that matter) can often be seen in a series of pictures or images that we can look back on and learn from. On my recent return trip to Nepal to review work done by Edge of Seven I also had a series of images that were important in telling a story of the importance of girls’ education in fighting poverty." edgeofseven.wordpress.com/2018/03/16/nepal-snapshots-of-hope-from-march-2018/
The #MeToo movement, which took the world by storm last year gave women a platform to discuss the abuse or injustices that they have experienced in their lives. For many young women and girls it has been an opportunity to speak out and demand change. But which voices are still silent and who do we still need to listen to?
On February 14, 2018, Global Campaign for Education-US spoke with 5th grade scholars in California. We discussed their project, which focused on girls' education. They had great questions, made posters and organized a book drive to benefit children in countries around the world. Thank you to the scholars of Academia Moderna. Please check out the video to hear about the wonderful work they are doing! Check out this wonderful video!
Please call on your Members of Congress to support the Global Partnership for Education and promote continued US investment in education for the world’s most marginalized children.
