Moms know: when you live in poverty, you don't always have the choice or the money to send your children to school. Education is sacrifice.
Moms know: when their children have access to education, enjoy going to school and are engaged in studying, they will thrive and survive. Education is freedom.
Moms know: if their children learn how to read and write, they can realize their potential and step out of poverty. Education is livelihood.
Moms know: when their children accomplish their goals, it builds their self-confidence, courage, determination and understanding of others. Education is empowerment.
Moms know and it's why they choose to enroll their children in school.
Here, seven mothers with children in our programs share what education means to them and their children...
"Everything seems well for the educated," says Auma Loyce.
The 23-year-old mom believes school will provide her daughter Rachael with the opportunity to learn, grow and build a better life for now and for her future.
124 million children and adolescences
around the world do not attend school.
- UNESCO
Hameeda Bibi's four children are attending school in their village in the Makli District in Thatta, Sindh in Pakistan.
"For me, educating my children is top priority, because I feel that getting an education will help them become good and successful people in life," says Hameeda. "Most of my extended family are highly qualified and successful professionals. I want my children to be as successful as these family members, so I motivate them to go to school regularly, for their bright future."
According to the United Nations,
in at least 63 countries, young women from poor households are significantly less educated
than poor young men.
In Pakistan, only 45% of girls and 69.5% of boys over the age of 15 years are able to read and write. - CIA, The World Factbook
Juliette Hodali's two children are part of the growing percentage of kids attending school in the West Bank.
"Education builds children's intelligence," says Hodali. And she's right.
Because our programs use, games, sports, theatre and other play-based activities as a learning tool—inside the classroom to teach subjects, like: math, English and science, as well in our programs to teach life skills, such as: disease prevention, teamwork, conflict resolution, hygiene and self-confidence—children feel encouraged and are engaged. They take everything in, retain the information and then, share it with their parents, siblings and communities.
Hiba Mohammed Hammad, another mom living in the West Bank recognizes school as an important conduit for social skills. She believes that when her children participate in the classroom it helps develop their character.
"My children have to go to school to learn new things and to be more active," says Hiba. "It will help to get them involved in the community and to know new people, which will build their personalities," says Hiba.
With access to our games teaching cooperation, understanding, acceptance and more, the one million children in our programs are learning how to respectfully interact with one another regardless of gender, race, disability and religion.
Educating children gives the next generation the tools to fight poverty and prevent disease, including malaria and AIDS.
-UNICEF
Learning how to protect against disease to stay healthy, is just one of the reasons West African mom Margaret Taaka enrolled her daughter into our programs.
"I know my children will have a better life is they are able to go to school," says Margaret.
And Zahida, a mom living in Pakistan is doing her part, too.
"My husband is illiterate and a laborer. I never had the opportunity to attend school, either" says Zahida Bibi. "Due to limited economic resources, it's challenging for us to afford the school expenses for our six children.
"But we are making every effort to give them an education, because we want them to have a different and better life than us. My husband and I often regret that we couldn’t attend school, but we are committed to the education of our children for their better future."
If all girls had a primary education,
there would be 14% fewer child marriages.
- UNESCO
Zeb-u-Nisa, a mother of four living in Nareja Goth, Pakistan, agrees. And while, for personal and cultural reasons she wouldn't share a photograph, she was generous with her thoughts.
"My mother was illiterate and got married at early age," says Zeb-u-Nisa." After my father died, she had to work as a domestic servant. She faced hardships and sacrificed a lot for my education. This taught me the value of education.
"In my community, sending children to school was not a priority. When I became a mother and sent my children to school, this was inspiring for many more mothers in my community. They also decided to send their children to school."
"I believe: education helps you build your personality and overcome life's challenges,"
says Zeb-u-Nisa.
Education is the key. And moms know that.
Because when children go to school, it prepares them for new opportunities and it helps create positive change in their lives.
Education is hope.
Click here to learn more about Right To Play's commitment to children's education.
