Girls and Education: A Life-Saving Equation

Pop quiz: What's the best way to fight poverty, reduce hunger, and improve child and maternal health?

Grab a book – and then put it into a girl's hands.

Education is the single most powerful tool we have in our arsenal to save girls' lives, and in turn build healthier, stronger families and communities. Yet millions of girls miss out on school because of fierce opposition to educating women in some parts of the world. In some places a girl is more likely to become a child bride than to learn how to read.

But give girls education and support, and suddenly they become "The Girl Most Likely to Escape Poverty," "The Girl Most Likely to Become a Doctor" – even "The Girl Most Likely to Hold a Seat in Parliament." That's why CARE is tearing down obstacles that keep girls away from schools – and equipping schools with the resources needed to provide top-notch educations.

Help CARE create futures of opportunity for girls around the world: Check out our new initiative to Keep Girls in the Picture >>

Dear Friend,

That's me! As a young girl I sported a big smile – and even bigger dreams. And education helped me make those big dreams a reality.

This month's newsletter is no ordinary email. It is dedicated to the power of girls – and what it takes to unlock that potential and create powerful change.

In Cambodia, in Syria, and everywhere in between, we see the tremendous potential of educated girls. They become breadwinners in their families, leaders in their communities, and warriors for change in their countries. But we also see the enormous hurdles girls must overcome to simply go to school.

Our "Keep Girls in the Picture" initiative is tearing down those hurdles. With the help of partners like you, we're making sure the world doesn't hold girls back – so every girl can not only dream big, but make those dreams possible.

Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely,


Helene D. Gayle MD, MPH

Maraa lives with her mother and her seven siblings in a cramped, overcrowded apartment in Irbid, Jordan. The apartment is crammed with 20 people. The main room is lit with a single light bulb and filled with mattresses.

Once, Maraa lived in a village in Syria. She laughed and played and went to school. But Maraa's village was destroyed and her father was killed in the war.

This little girl is only 10 years old, but she's silent the way no child should be, leaning motionless against a cold wall while her mother explains why Maraa and her siblings should be in school – but aren't.

Read more about hidden stories from Syrian refugees >>

Changemakers! Join us on November 19th at 3:00pm ET for a special webinar on Storytelling: The Art of Transforming an Issue, Engaging your Policymaker and Creating Greater Social Change, featuring the author of Reclaiming Our Democracy, Sam Daley-Harris. You'll learn how to transform your personal passion into real legislative gains for girls and their families around the world.

To join us RSVP here by Friday, November 15th.

 Mali – CARE is continuing to assist drought, disaster and conflict-affected communities, distributing more than 14,000 tons of food since the crisis began.

 India – Improved disaster preparedness significantly reduced Cyclone Phailin's death toll. CARE is distributing potable water, hygiene and survival kits, floor mats and solar lamps to victims of the cyclone.

 Cambodia – Heavy flooding has forced 9,000 families to evacuate Rattanakiri Province. CARE is working with local partners to assess the damage and provide emergency relief to displaced families.

For girls, education is more than pencils and books – it can be a matter of life and death. An education makes her less likely to become a child bride, increases her lifelong income and ensures that her own children grow up healthy and safe. Yet millions of girls are not in school due to inadequate resources, social stigma, crises and conflicts. With as little as $49 you can help provide a year of education for one girl.

If you thought riding the school bus was a pain, be thankful you don't face Eulalia's daily commute to school. The 9-year-old travels from her mountainside home to school on a rickety motorcycle – with her six siblings in tow!

Eulalia's not alone – millions of girls face unbelievable obstacles to getting an education. Tell your members of Congress that we must work harder to keep girls in the classroom – and give them their chance at a better life.

CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting the root causes of poverty.
Our U.S. headquarters is located at 151 Ellis Street NE, Atlanta, GA, 30303-2420.
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