“Education might as well be the highest-return investment available in the developing world.”
-Lawrence Summers, World Bank Chief Economist
We believe that education is the catalyst for progression. Unfortunately, 1/3 of the world’s population is illiterate. While many of us live in countries where nearly every child starts school at age 4 or 5, it is hard to believe there are still places where children work instead of study, or where children are denied admittance because they are female or because their family is poor. We foresee a world where the opportunity to be educated is no longer hindered by race, gender, class, or location. Our vision is for the children of today to reshape luck for their community and future generations.
Education: The Number One Defense Against Poverty
"It is widely accepted that education is instrumental in alleviating poverty. At individual, family and community levels, as well as nations of the world, education changes everything." -UNESCO, 2006
A child denied the right to quality education is handicapped for life - unable to withstand situations requiring reading, writing or arithmetic - unless given the access to education. Education ushers individuals, families, and communities to access of health, political, economical and practical opportunities of growth. Educated individuals are given more opportunities to explore, design, and contemplate, which can in return benefit their personal and family and community. It’s a positive cycle, which we believe is the catalyst for progression and elimination of poverty.
Education for Women
“When you educate a girl, you educate an entire community.”
-Parween Zaman, Aakashdeep Principal in Sasaram Bihar, India
Gender inequalities, cultural prejudice, and poor economics often leave girls behind. However, we agree with the experts that the education of females is one of the most effective ways to eliminate poverty. Not only does it give them knowledge, it enables the development of other critical aspects such as: the elimination of forced prostitution, family planning, STD prevention, and maternal health.
A Community gets a School
(A likely Scenario)
- Children no longer have to work. Leave the work tools behind for pencils and paper for exploration of learning.
- Children are no longer laborers but students. They arise each morning with more self confidence as they dress into their uniform. A sense of unity, friendship and exploration bring a new light into the students life.
- The Student’s world is filled with new languages, songs, books and opportunities that were never present.
- The student graduates from school and attends graduate school.
- The graduate returns as a Doctor to his or her former village to oversee primary healthcare, and saves many lives.
