We have always said, education changes lives and impacts culture. But in order for education to be valued in an environment where it has been seen as a hinderance to working and earring an income from a young age, you must model its importance.
Over the past 5 years, we have done just that. Education has been in constant conversation, and on the forefront of our minds. We have invested in the schools, spoke with parents, directors and government officials. We have spoken highly of and encouraged our kids about how education can shape the coarse of their lives, and set them and their families up for the generations to come. A foreign concept by a long shot. The idea that education can help?
But the fruit of our efforts is being seen. This year, the village towns have had their highest enrollment on record. 2,460 children enrolled in school, and growing.
And just this past month, we had 30 adults and youth who most never attended even kindergarten sign up to receive what would be equivalent to their GED.
Everyone of our staff moms, and even our soccer boys are learning the importance of what education means for their future.
We know this is just the beginning, and we cannot wait to see how this ripple effect with continue to spread throughout the communities.