The Power of Learning

"Education is a fundamental human right and essential for the exercise of all other human rights. It promotes individual freedom and empowerment and yields important development benefits. Yet millions of children and adults remain deprived of educational opportunities, many as a result of poverty."   -UNESCO

According to UNICEF, a total of 8.8 million children (14 percent of all children under 12) were unable to attend elementary school in the Eastern and Southern Africa region in 2008.  Seventy-eight percent (nearly 7 million) of these out-of-school children live in 5 countries: Ethiopia, Angola, Kenya, Somalia, and Mozambique.  The quality of education in this area is very poor with only 57 percent of children attaining minimum reading scores at grade 6 and only 25 percent achieving minimum standards in mathematics.  Primary and secondary school enrolment in African countries is among the lowest in the world. The literacy rate in Eastern and Southern Africa stands at 81 percent for males aged 15 to 24 years, and 73 percent for females, which is lower than the world average of 91/85 (male/female) percent.  Lack of funding, adequate teachers, classrooms, and learning materials diminish the quality of education in Africa.
      

 Literacy among people 15-24

                                                  
The statistics make it clear that children in Africa have less access to institutional education than children living in other areas, but why does that matter? 


The education gained in childhood has effects throughout the life cycle and provides many advantages:

• Girls who have an education are more likely to have smaller, healthier families.  They are more protected against HIV and other illnesses and their children are more likely to live to age five.  
• Communities with educated and skilled members are better able to combat poverty and disease.
• Educated citizens are better informed of their rights and have a stronger voice in political discourse.   

The TARA Project is working closely with our Kenyan community to remove barriers to education at points throughout the life cycle from primary school for children to continuing education for adults...


AND YOU CAN HELP!  This weekend, the TARA Project is hosting an amazing fundraiser.  The event will feature Atlanta based artists and musicians and will benefit our midwife certification training, a continuing education program that will improve maternal and child health in our Kenya community.  Even if you can't attend the event, you can always purchase a ticket!  For more information on the event and for details on how to purchase your ticket online, check out our FB page:


http://www.facebook.com/taraproject?sk=app_129982580378550       

What do shoes have to do with it? Finding unexpected barriers to education

Our "picture of the week" blogs highlight photos of daily life in our Kenyan community and provide an opportunity for the TARA community members to get to know one another.  The blogs post every Friday.  We hope to see you here every week!  


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During my last trip to Kenya, I was lucky enough to have the time to explore the countryside.  One morning, during a particularly long walk, I ran into a group of school children, marching along the dirt path.  Because they had seen me with my camera so often, they began chanting, "Photo! Photo!"  The boys struck kung fu poses and the girls threw their arms around one another.  The photo shoot degenerated into a giggling, sweaty frenzy of arms and legs, and then things began to get a little rough.  Nudges turned into shoves and squeals of laughter turned into disgruntled growls.  So, I decided it was time to change the subject.


"How was school?"  It was fine.


"Um, what did you do today."  Studied.


"Wait, it's still early.  Why are you going home?"


The kids explained to me that they had been sent away from school because did not have the proper uniform.  This was confusing as they all had matching, blue gingham school uniforms on.  After some discussion, I discovered that they had been sent away because they were not wearing black, close toed shoes.  Apparently every once in a while, there is a uniform crack down and today was one such occasion.  The kids thought it was pretty funny when I asked to take a picture of their shoes but they were quick to offer up colorful, flip-flopped and sneaker-ed feet to the camera.


After a few more shots, they went their way and I went mine, but I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that although school fees were paid and uniforms were donned, these kids were still missing classes because they didn't have the right shoes.  After doing some research I found out that there are some schools that have altered the uniform requirement to ANY shoes; but the vast majority still requires the black, close toed variety.  These shoes were one more barrier to education for children.* 


Upon discovering barriers, I--like my fellow TARA Project community members--enjoy finding ways to remove those barriers.  By investing in The TARA Project's scholarship program, you are helping us to reduce barriers to education.  Not only do we provide scholarships, we provide the materials and tools students need in order to stay in school and to get the most out of their education--including shoes.  Think about it: Just a $2 pair of shoes may be the only barrier a girl faces to accessing an education that will help her and her future family live a longer, healthier life.  But don't wait too long to take action, because as they say, "Between saying and doing, many pair of shoes are worn out."    


--Alyssa


*The rational around requiring shoes is not purely an aesthetic one.  Shoes are also an important preventive measure against intestinal worms and other parasites; but that's another story.  Stay tuned to our blogs for more info on ways shoes can change lives.