In 2015, the UN adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which named 17 Sustainable Development Goals to end poverty. Goal 4, quality education, is critical for communities to develop innovative solutions to daily challenges.
According to UN statistics, over 265 million children worldwide are not enrolled in school. Access to education is a challenge in many parts of the world, particularly in rural areas, and it’s one that Zambia’s Mission & Service partners Women for Change and People’s Action Forum are tackling.
Women for Change encourages girls and young women in rural Zambia to stay in school. The group works with national and community leaders to develop an understanding of the importance of education for all young people. It works with families, offering livelihood training to help address the economic issues that may be keeping girls out of school. It also works with teachers to support girls who return to school, and with communities to break down the cultural and social norms that sometimes prevent girls from completing their education.
People’s Action Forum (PAF) also works with rural communities in Zambia to help them see how their resources can be used to improve local education. Collaboration between schools and local communities has turned schools into hubs of community health and development, including providing safe community water supplies. Through a mentorship program called Girls Action Forum, PAF helps girls succeed by providing the skills, space, and encouragement they need to thrive.
If Mission & Service giving is already a regular part of your life, thank you so much! If you have not given, please join in making Mission & Service giving a regular part of your life of faith. Loving our neighbour is at the heart of our Mission & Service.