Opportunity International’s Invest in One Child

 

Opportunity International knows that education is a pathway out of poverty and has seen the accelerator effect it has on improving lives and strengthening communities.
· Unfortunately education is not free in Sub-Saharan Africa- even public schools have big costs including fees, uniform, books, food, shoes, extra teacher payments, etc. Families are forced to cover up to 30% of primary education expenses.

As we all start our back to school season lets take a moment and think about some children in this world who do not get that chance.  No first day of school excitement, no first day of school new clothes, no chance at education at all really.  I am one of the many SocialGoodMoms.com and with that comes an opportunity for me to share really good ways to save and it is not money or time but lives....

• Studies how shown that the number one reason that African families do not send their children to school is lack of financial resources.
• A staggering 130 million children around the world are not in school—70% are girls.
• A girl with an extra year of education can earn 20% more as an adult.
• Educated mothers are more than twice as likely to send their children to school 

 So you can get involved for very little cost to you, a $1 a day.  Invest in One Child – Back to School Campaign.
Check it out! 
Through the contributions of two generous donors, all donations to Invest in One Child will be matched dollar for dollar up to $35,000. This match encourages others to give likewise but is not contingent on additional gifts being received.

International Day of the Girl

October 11, 2012 is the very first International day of the girl! It was started to raise awareness to the plight of young girls around the world.  Sadly many young girls are still victims of child marriages and becoming mothers way too young.  This makes them statistically at a higher risk for death, and yet it continues.   As a Mom, and a member of  Mom Bloggers for Social Good, I felt compelled to bring you this story.  No saving deals here, something much more important, saving lives.   

I cannot imagine my daughter at the age of 8 being forced to marry, or being abused.   That just breaks my heart.   But that is how young some of these children are when they are forced into a child marriage.  Since their bodies have not had a chance to fully develop at that young of an age they are at a great risk when they become pregnant.  Some die during a very painful child birth.

Some young girls in this world never get a chance to have a education.  Some are forced to quit school.  Never getting a chance to live a happy life, and only living in abuse.  That is unacceptable! 

So this International Day of the Girl will be held for the very first time on October 11, 2012 to bring worldwide awareness to issues girls’ face.


Here is how you can get involved:

Simply follow  #DayoftheGirl on Twitter to keep up to date with news and events you can participate in.

Join the Facebook campaign and raise your hand for a girl. 


     Help the Care.org’s Help End Child Marriage campaign.


You can help spread the word about Care’s Help End Child Marriage on Twitter and Facebook by attaching a Twibbon to your profiles. 


Join the International Day of the Girl Child Blog Hop: Paula Rudnicka of Smile Play Learn is organizing a blog hop for those who are writing posts about the Day of the Girl.  The blog hop goes live on October 11.