This year, Handicap International is supporting Send My Sister to School, as part of the Global Campaign for Education.
67 million children are still missing out on school. More than half are girls. Every extra year that a girl gets in school has a great impact on her future, helping her to earn more (and escape poverty), keeping her safe from HIV/AIDS infection and reducing the risk that her child will die in infancy.
Get involved
You can help spread the word and ask everyone to support girls' education! Get your school involved in the action - there are lots of free resources for teachers.
Why is education for all so important?
World leaders have promised that all children will have a primary education by 2015 but with only 4 years left to go, 67 million children are still missing out on school.
These children could be the next generation's leaders, sport stars, doctors and teachers. But without an education they are confined to a life of poverty. They’re ready to do their homework - but school fees, conflict, working in factories and farms, losing their parents to sickness, the cost of a school uniform or sometimes simply being a girl or having a disability keeps them from being able to attend school.
Whatever their background – children with disabilities, orphans, refugees, poor, child soldiers, child labourers, from disadvantaged backgrounds – the result is the same – if they are denied the chance to learn, they will never be able to fulfil their potential.
Education beats Poverty – and enables people to help themselves. Education is key to breaking the cycle of poverty for families, communities and whole countries. Together, we want to ensure that everyone has the chance for an education. We want world leaders to pay attention and make education a top priority because time is running out.
Let's make 2011 the year to help everyone get an education!
Handicap International supports inclusive education
Promoting inclusive education is one way in which Handicap International supports children and young people with disabilities to gain greater independence, have access to vital information and be more included within their own families and communities in developing countries around the world.
For Handicap International it is imperative that the issue of inclusion in education is at the forefront of the Global Campaign for Education. We promote an education that is accessible and appropriate for the needs of all children whatever their ability.
For more information about the Global Campaign for Education, visit www.campaignforeducation.org
