Why investing in girls and women is essential to fighting poverty

When you sponsor a child, we say that the difference you’ll make means more than you think. For Elsa, that difference was an education.

Like many final year students, 16-year-old Elsa is excited to finish at the end of this year.

What makes Elsa and her parents even more proud is that she will be the first person in her family – and one of the few young women in her town – to do this.

Elsa knows finishing school is a big achievement. Only 30 percent of the students at her school are girls – and many will drop out before graduating.

In the Bolivian community where Elsa used to live, the only school for children to attend is far from home, in another town across the hills. Each day, Elsa and the other children from neighbouring towns would walk for up to two hours in the morning and afternoon for the chance to get an education.

“I remember that I used to walk with the children from my town. We were always laughing and playing but we never separated from each other, because sometimes it was dangerous and when it went dark we felt scared,” says Elsa.

Arriving home tired and hungry, Elsa would try to do her homework quickly before it got dark. Her town had no electricity, so Elsa had to use a lighter to see her work. The light was too dim and would give her headaches.

In many poor Bolivian families, a lack of money means only the boys can go to school.

Elsa’s parents considered taking her out of school as they struggled to buy her school materials and uniforms with only the income from their small crop of potato, oca, barley and bean.

“It is only enough for eating. If my daughter still wants to study, there won’t be enough,” says Elsa’s father Martin.

Elsa is passionate about learning and wanted to continue her education, a dream that became possible when she was sponsored through World Vision. As well as learning about children’s rights and attending training sessions, money from generous sponsors helped provide Elsa with school materials each year.

Elsa remembers being so excited by these new opportunities that she dreamed of teaching every girl about the importance of study.

“I wanted to learn more and more and not remain working at home without learning. If I wouldn’t have learned from the program, I’m sure I wouldn’t be at school now,” says Elsa.

Now Elsa and her family have been able to move to the town where Elsa attends school. Their new home has electricity and it is only a short walk to school. Elsa also has the opportunity to visit the local radio station and participates in radio programs with her friends, spreading the message about the right of girls to study.

As well as the support Elsa has received from her proud parents and siblings, her sponsor has been a great source of encouragement.

“Receiving these letters and pictures from my sponsor and reading what he says to me motivates me a lot. Next year I will graduate and I want to keep on studying,” says Elsa, who hopes to go to university and become a doctor.

• Sponsor a girl in need: Sponsorship makes a long-term investment in the life of a girl, her family, and her community, providing greater access to life-giving basics like nutritious food, clean water, medical care, and education -- the foundation for a future of independence and hope.
• Join World Vision at one of our Girl Rising events: Our Girl Rising events help raise awareness of the importance of investing in the lives of girls around the world. Girl Rising is the critically acclaimed movie that is spearheading a global campaign fighting for the right of all girls to an education. It features the stories of 4 girls from 4 countries and is narrated by a number of award winning stars including Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Cate Blanchett.
Look out for an event in your county soon. For more information on scheduled events please call 01 498 0800.Join World Vision at one of our Girl Rising events: Our Girl Rising events help raise awareness of the importance of investing in the lives of girls around the world.
• Share our VISION: Be a part of our Girl Rising campaign and share this message with the world. Use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Google+ and Pinterest to spread the word. Let’s educate the world by educating girls.

Raise your voice and let others know how important it is to educate and invest in the lives of girls.

(Source: www.worldvision.com.au)