Education
Millions across the developing world cannot access education for one simple reason: poverty. However, education would help them escape poverty – by giving them the chance of a better job – and the impact of this would carry on down the generations.
That’s why Islamic Relief is committed to breaking this cycle of poverty.
We want to ensure that all children receive at least primary education, and that adults are taught to read and write too. A farmer who can read can make sure nobody takes advantage of him, and sell his crops at a higher price. A girl who is educated will marry later and have fewer children, ensuring that they can afford to bring them up safely, educate them and keep them healthy. She will also be able to work and earn a living, crucial in areas where one wage is not enough to support a family.
Islamic Relief builds and rehabilitates schools, stocking and equipping them with everything they need to provide quality teaching. We train teachers so that they give the best education possible, and support schools with milk and nutritional meals, to ensure that children are healthy enough to concentrate and learn.
We also work with adults, teaching them in ways that work best for their situation and culture – for example, in Afghanistan, women gather in one another’s homes to learn, so as not to break any cultural norms about participation in society.