September: Journey to success

Plan USA eNews

Education is a powerful tool — especially to those striving to overcome poverty, oppression, victimization and war. In the hands of girls and women, education can be one of the most effective agents of change.

Kofi Annan, the former United Nations Secretary General, said, "There is no tool for development more effective than the education of girls. If we are to succeed in our efforts to build a more healthy, peaceful and equitable world, the classrooms of the world have to be full of girls as well as boys."

For girls in particular, schooling offers the chance of independence. Girls who are educated are less likely to be exploited, less likely to fall victim to trafficking and less likely to be infected with HIV. Girls’ education also creates a virtuous cycle: women who are educated are more likely to have healthy children of their own.

The following stories are just a few that showcase how Plan has helped children and adults, especially girls and women — even in the most difficult of circumstances — achieve the education and skills needed to make a difference in their lives.

You too can help make a difference in children's lives through education.

Rosa — a survivor of war
El Salvador emerged from 12 years of civil war in 1992 and its people are still suffering the consequences of prolonged conflict. Yet for some girls the discrimination only served to boost their determination to succeed.

Rosa Candida Alas de Menjivar, 32, is a survivor of war. As a 5-year-old girl she witnessed unimaginable horrors — the death of loved ones, bombings and constant hiding from the Army. She began working with Plan in 1992 and is now one of only two female mayors in the province of Chalatenango. This is Rosa's story in her own words.

Shobha — a survivor of child trafficking
Each year, more than one million children are trafficked — lured away from their families with promises of money and a better life. Right now, more than 200,000 Nepalese girls are believed to be victims of the “trade” across the border.

Shobha is a survivor of trafficking. She had already been a victim of sexual exploitation before being helped by a local program supported by Plan in 2002. With the help of Plan and local partners, Shobha acquired a more positive self-image, learned how to protect herself from danger, and gained new skills to improve her life. This is Shobha's story.

Loan — from migrant worker to corporate administrator
Every year, millions of workers migrate from rural areas to urban zones in search of better jobs and better lives. For many, however, the reality is often harsh, involving long hours in grueling conditions and for little pay.

Dinh Thi Loan had been struggling for years to make a living in Hanoi. She often worked 20 hours a day, seven days a week as a stone buffer — for a paltry USD$30 a month. But then she saw an advertisement for LABS — a program begun in India by the Dr. Reddy Foundation and introduced to Vietnam by Plan in 2004 — and her life has changed beyond her wildest dreams. This is Loan's story.

Education for All
From helping build and rebuild classrooms, to providing scholarships and school fees, to aiding in teacher training, to providing relevant job skill and vocational courses, Plan seeks to ensure children and adults get the basic learning and life skills they need to realize their full potential.

School rebuilding begins in Myanmar — Work to rebuild 16 schools attended by more than 2,500 children in Myanmar has begun! Read more about Plan’s effort to help those affected by Cyclone Nargis.

Passing on the legacy for helping — Read the story of how one former sponsored child was so inspired by his experience with Plan that he began his own child sponsorship agency.

Pakistani youth group tackles girls' education — Read an article written by members of the Vehari Youth Group in Pakistan about their feelings on girls' education in their country and what they are doing as a group to address this issue.

What I learned at Leadership Camp this summer — Get a glimpse of Plan USA's YUGA Leadership Camp held this summer through the eyes of one of the campers, Corrie.

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