Week 46: Malala Fund
Hi there GIVE52’ers! I am sure you know about the incredible young woman and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Malala Yousafzai. This week, GIVE52 is honoring her and her work at the Malala Fund.
The mission of the Malala Fund is “a world where every girl can complete 12 years of safe, quality education”. Malala is a Pakistani student who began her fight for girl’s education when she was just 11 years old. Eleven! I don't know what you were worrying about at eleven, but my worries revolved around skateboarding the biggest hills I could find, not whether I would be allowed to go to school or not.
For a long time, I took my education for granted. It was considered obvious that I would graduate high school, let alone have access to quality elementary education. But around the world, some girls are not as lucky.
“Secondary education for girls can transform communities, countries and our world.
It is an investment in economic growth, a healthier workforce, lasting peace and the future of our planet.”
Malala survived being shot in the head by the Taliban, an assassination attempt, at the age of 15. The youngest ever Nobel laureate, she then founded the Malala Fund with her father.
Click here to give to Malala Fund
“I raise up my voice-not so I can shout but so that those without a voice can be heard...we cannot succeed when half of us are held back.”
The Malala Fund advocates “at local, national and international levels for resources and policy changes needed to ensure all girls complete 12 years of school”.
They invest in organizations and education leaders in developing countries, “the people who best understand girls in their communities”, to ensure that girls have access to secondary education where they currently do not. They currently focus on education initiatives in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and countries housing Syrian refugees. Malala Fund also works in Nairobi’s slums, supporting training in technology and life skills.
Here's to education and making sure half of us are not held back.
Have a wonderful week!
Jodi
