Objectives

To Support Grassroots Social-Economic
Development Projects Aimed At:

Providing Quality Education to All Children

Human development is the core of any development process. Education - the empowerment of individuals through the provision of learning - is truly a human right and a social responsibility.* Education unlocks creativity and intellect, whose expression underlies happiness and human dignity.

Raising the Status of Women and Girls

The advancement of civilization now requires the full participation of everyone, including women. Any inequality between women and men is a result of educational differences; educated women develop the same capacities and abilities as men. Data documents the correlation between a variety of crucial development indicators and the education of girls and women. From infant mortality reductions, fertility, and the incidence of AIDS, to improvements in the environment, it is amply demonstrated that education of mothers makes the difference. The positive effects increase with every additional year a girl stays in school. When all the benefits are taken into account, educating girls yields a higher rate of return than any other investment that can be made in the developing world.

Community Building

The process of community building affirms that all people can find the direction and the capacity for development within themselves. It furthers empowerment, not dependency. It promotes tolerance and understanding. It helps people develop skills in consultation to resolve differences and develop peaceful, collaborative relationships. These processes foster both self-realization as well as the individual's productive involvement in society. Recognition of positive values in one's own culture and respect for the culture of others are encouraged.

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