Trigger the girl effect with education

BRAC's pre-primary education program in Pakistan reaches children left behind by the formal education sytem. Often these are girls who are needed at home, or more often, children whose parents can't afford to pay school fees. Muhammed Rafaqat is one of those parents. He is a shopkeeper and a father of two. He said his son grew up healthy, but his daughter, Momina, was born with special needs. Together with his wife Zarqa, Mahammad consulted doctors in their area and were able to get her the best treatment they could afford.

Muhammad and Zarqa wanted their daughter to have an education, but it was extremely difficult. There were no schools in their area that could offer the special attention Momina needed and it was impossible to send her to a school in another region.

"When BRAC started its pre-primary school in our area," Muhammad said, "we met the teachers who informed us they could take Momina in. Our hearts were filled with joy at the prospect of getting our daughter into school."

Now, Muhammad says he and his wife regularly meet with Momina's teachers and get updates on her progress at school. She was initially shy and timid, but now her teachers say she takes part in classroom activites and extra curriculars.

"She has made lots of friends and she talks about them when she gets home," Muhammad said. "My daughter seems more confident now."

Zarqa became a member of the school management commitee (similar to a parent-teacher group that meets regularly), and both parents continue to support their daughter.

Thanks to GlobalGiving donors and help from partners, BRAC opened and currently runs 100 pre-primary schools in Khybur-Pakhtunkhwa province and graduated nearly 3,000 girls in March 2014. Please continue to support our efforts by empowering girls and families most in need of second chance at an education.