I’d like to introduce you to someone.
She’s not that different than your typical teenage girl. She’s energetic and creative, she values her friendships, and her family means the world to her.
However, this Bangladeshi teenager dropped out of school in the 10th grade because her parents couldn’t afford her school fees. Months away from her high school diploma, she was forced to stay home and raise chickens for her family.
Meet Insana.
Sadly, Insana’s story isn’t unique. 70 percent of the world’s 130 million out-of-school youth are girls.
Luckily for Insana, her story caught the attention of a local girls’ club – supported by BRAC USA through the Girl Effect Fund – where she was able to sign up for a tailoring class and connect with a mentor. Insana excelled at the course, won a sewing machine, and began earning an income on her own. Before long, she earned enough money to support her family and go back to school. Eventually, she was even able to teach her craft to other girls in her village.
You may have never thought of high school exams as something to celebrate, but for Insana, completing her exams is a ticket to a better tomorrow. By finishing school, she’s more likely to marry later, have fewer, healthier children, and support herself and her family.
Instead of becoming a statistic, Insana became a real-life she-ro. This is a little something we call “The Girl Effect.”
The Girl Effect is what happens when girls are given an opportunity to participate. It's a movement that believes in the unique potential of adolescent girls to end poverty for themselves and the world. (Warning: this link leads to an extremely compelling Girl Effect video.)
For the first time ever, we’ve created an opportunity for organizations working with girls to win a one-year spot on the Girl Effect fundraising page. But, to make sure the best programs for girls are chosen, we need your help!
More than 50 organizations are competing in the Girl Effect GlobalGiving Challenge for Girl Effect funding, but only twelve will become beneficiaries. Vote with your wallet NOW through November 15 for the project you think is doing the best work for girls, and please tell your friends and family to do the same!
Thanks in advance for helping us find the best programs for girls – and, thank you for the difference your donation will make for girls like Insana.
Warmly,
Alison Carlman and the GlobalGiving team
P.S. Do you know a nonprofit that could benefit from opportunities like this? Today is the last day to nominate your favorite nonprofit to join our site in 2011! Quick! Nominate them today!
