We continue to support 60 girls in Tehsil Talagang of the Chakwal Punjab district in Pakistan. This past year was challenging in many ways due to the pandemic. Across Pakistan, schools closed down and families faced difficult times. With girls out of school, families became concerned about what the girls would do while out of school; some were concerned about pressures to marry.
Read moreBreaking the Barriers on a Bicycle
I believe that I am no more an ordinary girl who is just restricted to the household chores, in fact I feel empowered like any other person in the society who can achieve anything irrespective of the gender discrimination.
Read moreHappy International Women's Day - a Pakistan Project Update
Nadia (alias) comes from the village of Dhulli in the District of Chakwal. Her family financially is not well off. She has seven sisters, none of whom were able to complete their education. Nadia loves to study and even though she was taken out of school in 8th grade, Girls Educational International is happy to say that she is back in school, now in 10th grade. GEI covers her transportation costs to and from school, which is approximately $70.00 a year.
Javeria (alias) is also from the same district, but a village a bit further out. She is 14 years old. Although she was set to get married, after expressing interest in her studies, we are happy to learn that her wedding was called off. She is currently in 9th grade. Girls Education International is delighted to cover the fees of enrolling her back in school. Because of her village's proximity, her transportation costs are about $100 a year.
These and similar stories are what keep our small team at Girls Education motivated and excited to have this opportunity in the first place, to reach young people in some of the most marginalized groups of society.
It is our pleasure on this International Day of Women to highlight our partnership with Pakistan organization Bedari that facilitates our support of 60 young women from five different villages. If we, together with your help, couldn't provide support with their transportation to and from school from their remote villages, these and other young women would possibly have very different paths in life, usually picked out for them and often against their will. So, thank you!
We wish you, our supporters, a beautiful Women's Day this year. We hope it is filled with smart, creative, interesting and beautiful women in your personal lives. Women that have a choice to make their own decisions, good and the bad ones. Enjoy them, support them and love them. And please remember that you have touched lives of other young women who also appreciate you and are forever grateful for your kindness and your understanding that supporting one girl, supports men, women and the entire community we all live in, this beautiful yet fragile planet that we all call home.
Every Day is a Good Day to Give
Winston Churchill said: "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give". This thought has been with me for the last few weeks as I have been thinking about what it means to give and what it means to receive.
Read morePeanuts vs. Exams - Small Acts of Resistance
Peanut harvesting takes time of three months (October, November and December), during which girls education efforts suffer as they can't attend the classes. Due to girls "small" and "thin" fingers, it is preferred that the girls perform the task of searching for peanuts by digging the soil instead of boys and adults.
Read moreInterview with our student, Rabbia - Pakistan
An educated woman can manage the house in an efficient and effective manner. She can bring up her children with a good character. She can improve the living standard of her family by earning good money.
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