So far, the 21st century has seen great improvements in primary school enrollment. When the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were set in 2000, there were 102 million primary school age children not in school. In 2013, that number had fallen to 57 million children. Clearly, there is significantly more work to do, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, but nearly halving … more
The recent kidnapping of almost 300 schoolgirls in northern Nigeria by the extremist group Boko Haram has shed a bright light on the glaring gender inequality that exists in many parts of the world. In places like Nigeria, girls are often not allowed to get an education and are not empowered to fully participate in their society. This incident – … more
Support our first-ever ‘Walk a Mile in Her Kanga’ challenge! This year, Shukuru is challenging men and boys to complete a sponsored mile-long walk wearing a kanga, the colorful piece of fabric that Tanzanian women wear wrapped around their waists, and carrying a bucket of water on their head! Students from two local international schools are championing Shukuru’s cause by … more
In recent years, the plight of adolescent girls has garnered the attention of leading philanthropists like Bill and Melinda Gates and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon. Their emphasis on girl-child rights is proof that girls are indeed becoming more of a priority in policy-making and development. But there is still work to be done. In the recent article, “How to … more
SHUKURU Empowering Girls through Education & Entrepreneurship “I just want to be somebody.” -Maria Jems, 11 Shukuru’s first-ever group of Shukuru Girls seems at first to be a quiet bunch, shy and reserved around adults. They lightly shake my hand and bid a barely audible ‘good morning’ when I greet them. But don’t let their quiet voices fool you into … more
Support Girls Investing in their Own Education! HANDOUTS DON’T WORK. EMPOWER GIRLS THROUGH ENTREPRENEURIAL SOLUTIONS TO AFFORD THEIR OWN SCHOOL FEES AND GAIN LONG-TERM SELF-RELIANCE. A Girl Revolution has begun in Tanzania. What is that, you ask? It’s when a girl realizes that SHE becomes the solution to her problems. It’s when she STOPS believing that her chance to get an education depends on … more
Today I visited a girl named Carrie*, a delicate, soft-spoken individual who looks younger than her 17 years. As we sit in the modest house she’s now living in with her sister and her sister’s family – no more than 60 square feet in all – she graciously serves me tea and bread. We’re surrounded by the family’s beautifully cultivated … more