The idea of education for all is widely defended but becomes challenging to sustain when the issue is education in underdeveloped countries. These governments cannot afford to invest on public education, leaving low-income families with the only option of sending their children to bad schools because they cannot afford private institutions. Even worse, they may not send their children to school altogether, especially if they work to help provide family income.
Fortunately, there are ways to change this situation and education nonprofits prove to be powerful allies in combating poor education resources in many countries. These organizations usually raise money from developed countries, like the United States, and invest it on countries in need of educational improvement.
Reverse the Course is a nonprofit that aims to raise money to fully cover school tuition and board for girls in Uganda and Kenya, among other countries. Without this financial support, the girls would not be able to attend school and would never be given the opportunity to learn new skills and possibly help improve their families’ life conditions in the future.
Reverse the Course is a unique example of education nonprofits because its founder, Mary Grace, had the idea when she was only twelve years old. Mary Grace realized that she had terrific access to education while other girls her age would never be given such opportunity. Being surrounded by people who spoke of the importance of safety, health, family and education, Mary Grace took a step further and wondered what it would take to give children the chance to attend school.
The result was her nonprofit, which raises money by selling girls’ hair accessories and encourages conversation about the need to invest in education. Reverse the Course currently supports 35 girls.
There is a vicious cycle in many countries where its economy needs people with better education to make a stronger impact in their society but the people cannot be educated because they cannot afford so. Nonprofits do an admirable job of decreasing the gap between poverty and education, and organizations like Reverse the Course empower girls to become leaders in their community. It’s safe to presume that, with each girl that attends and finishes school, her country improves a little more.
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