Call to Action

 "Education is important for everyone, but it is especially significant  for girls and women. This is true not only because education is an entry point to other opportunities, but also because the educational achievements of women can have ripple effects within the family and across generations. Investing in girls' education is one of the most effective ways to reduce poverty”
("Empowering Women" 1)

Meskerem Geremew

In Ethiopia's capital city one young girl, Meskerem Geremew knew she wanted an education and spoke out. Twelve year old, Geremew says,  “I had to go to school because I want to get knowledge. Knowledge is how you become somebody”. She begins shining shoes in the evenings and on the weekends, competing against countless other shoe-shining boys. She divides the money she makes between her mother and her savings for school. Geremew makes up to 1 birr, 11 cents for shining a pair of shoes. A good day can see her with a profit of around 10 birr, or $1.15. Half of the money she makes goes to school costs, which are around 15 birr a month (154 birr for the entire year) and half of the money goes to helping provide for her mother and four younger siblings. Geremew's hard work has enabled her to begin primary school through her own hard work (Heavens 1). Geremew's story is inspiring, especially to those of us to whom education is freely granted. Geremew took the initiative to educate herself and initiate the process of creating a better life for herself. There are many organizations to support that enable other girls to do the same.


Listed below are organizations dedicated to helping women in Ethiopia receive an education. Click on the pictures of the organizations below to visit their sites and donate to support these women and change their lives.

Global Giving is an organization that provides girls with the opportunity to complete four years of high school through sponsorship and involvement of family members.

 

Link Ethiopia is an organization dedicated to supporting education in Ethiopia as well as bridging cultural gaps.

The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa, SIHA, is a non-profit organization that increases women's leadership opportunities and encourages community involvement.

• "Empowering Women through Education: Promoting Gender Equality: UNFPA." UNFPA - United Nations Population Fund. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2013. <http://www.unfpa.org/gender/empowerment2
• Heavens, Andrew. "UNICEF - Ethiopia - Closing the gender gap: An Ethiopian girl shines shoes to pay for school." UNICEF - UNICEF Home . N.p., n.d. Web. 24 May 2013. <http://www.unicef.org/education/ethiopia_34471