In India, only 1 in six girls will live to see their 15th birthday. When you talk about a statistic like this in a populated place like India, then you’re stating that millions and millions of girls are dying from preventable causes. It is staggering and heartbreaking.
From the time they can walk, girls are taught that they are not as important as their brothers. From the time they can speak, they are told their opinions are not important. Undervaluing of girls is so intricately interwoven in this remarkable culture that it is difficult to make these young ladies see differently. When you add to this the lack of education and the common practice of keeping girls in the home, then you realize why we struggle even more to help girls understand their great worth and abilities. This is why they are often insecure and subdued, and very vulnerable in life.
Manisha, for instance, was one of the saddest little girls I ever met. She was so unsure of herself that she never spoke. If the teacher called on her for an answer in class, you could see her humiliation as she hunched over in her chair. But the thing is she probably knew the answer every time. She is a brilliant student, top in her class. But she lacked any confidence to speak up.
We were able to spend a lot of time one-on-one with Manisha, building her up, helping her see how amazing she is. And in just a year’s time, we have seen outstanding changes in her demeanor. She is more confident in her self and knows where she excels. This past month, she actually raised her hand in class to answer a question!
If not for our education program, Manisha would lack the platform in life from which she could come into her own.
I am asking you to please consider sponsoring the education of a young girl in India. For just $100 a year, you are ensuring that each of their voices is heard.
