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Maria Nijuur Bak has aspirations to become a doctor with Concern's help. Photo: Concern Worldwide |
Education is every child’s right. It is the key to overcoming poverty in the long run and to opening doors to greater social and economic opportunities. Your support of Concern’s Winter Ball goes a long way towards giving some of the poorest children in the world an opportunity to attend school for the first time in their lives—or to pick up where they left off after war, famine or a natural disaster that disrupted their education.
Here is a staggering fact: more than 72 million children worldwide—most of them girls—are not attending school. Instead, they are working alongside their mothers and fathers to keep the family afloat or, worse, in the case of boys, they are enlisted by militias still roaming too many African plains and valleys.
The worldwide education crisis remains one our foremost development challenges, and it will remain a focus of Concern’s efforts in 2010 and beyond.
By attending the Winter Ball, you can join us in opening doors for hundreds of thousands of children who deserve a chance for a future full of promise.
Angelina Abuk Akook and Maria Nijuur Baak are two exceptionally fortunate 16-year-old girls in Aweil West County in South Sudan, because they have the opportunity to go to school, unlike many others. The 6th and 7th graders each have to walk up to two hours to and from the Pantit Primary School under a hot, blazing sun. But both are committed to the core.
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Sixth grader Angelina Abuk Akook is attending classes run by a Concern supported school. Photo: Concern Worldwide |
“I have to study hard; attend school; get good grades,” says Maria, who, just like Angelina, wants to become a doctor and dreams of attending college abroad. Eventually, she says, “I want to treat my people.”
Their school is one of 36 supported by Concern Worldwide in South Sudan. Concern education initiatives benefit almost 10,000 children. Projects include the building of classrooms and the establishment of parent teacher associations. These work hand in hand with government efforts to promote enrollment and pupil retention, particularly for girls. Concern also provides students with uniforms so that the very poorest students don’t stay home out of embarrassment for their shabby clothes.
Education gives people choices—for better jobs, better health, and better lives. Education is the gateway to vital skills that allow young people to break out of the cycle of poverty and make a decent living.
In the past year, Concern has supported education programs in 12 countries, reaching over 815,670 people.