Students ecstatic to unwrap boxes filled with school supplies! It's the little things that make the biggest impact. Something as simple as putting a short hold on your daily Starbucks run for a month means you could sponsor one child for an entire year...
Education breaks the cycle of poverty and violence
Happy 50th anniversary, International Literacy Day! The adult literacy rate has risen to 85% from 76% in 1990! While global literacy rates are improving, women and girls still account for the majority of the illiterate. And the ability to read and write has a powerful effect over many other areas of women's lives - from economic opportunity to maternal health. They deserve to have the right to literacy.
Adult literacy rate (women) 2013:
- Developed countries 99%
- Developing countries 77%
- Least developed countries 53%
This day was first celebrated in 1965, following a decision by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to designate September 8th as the day to mark the impact of literacy, and efforts towards eradicating illiteracy worldwide. According to UNESCO estimates, illiteracy causes the global economy $1.2 trillion.
Many children have overcome huge challenges to get into the classroom this year. Children living in poverty lack funds for tuition and supplies (you can sponsor a child for $160/year in Kenya, Africa). Children trapped by conflict must face the reality that their school buildings may not be safe. But they are determined to get an education, and supporters like you make it possible.
Every literate person is a victory over poverty:
- 171 million people would be out of poverty if all students in low income countries left school without basic reading sills
- Up to 10% increase in income for each additional year of schooling
- If all mothers had primary education, we would see a -15% drop in child deaths.
- If all mothers had secondary education, we would see a -49% decline in child deaths
- 2.1 million children under 5 were saved between 1990 and 2009 because of improvements in girls' education
- Women with post-primary education are 5X MORE likely to illiterate women to be educated about HIV/AIDS, malaria, diarrhea and seek medical guidance.
Education BREAKS the cycle of poverty and violence, and gives the world's most vulnerable children a chance to survive and thrive. #sustainablefuture