Increase Girls' Access to Education in Pakistan

First off, a big apology is due to our donors for delayed reporting. We had a little mixup in communications here at Girls Ed, and we're very sorry not to have been in touch. We shall endeavor to do better in the future.

For those unfamiliar with Girls Education International, we're a tiny, all-volunteer, pass-through organization, that helps raise visibility and funding for established NGOs serving girls' educational missions in regions where young women often don't have equal educational opportunities. This project is our second partnership with Bedari in Pakistan - the first ran for three years in the villages of Laphi and Sar Kalan ending in the Spring of 2014. That program assisted thirty girls and young women through scholarships that primarily helped with logistics of attending secondary school in this remote, rural area. When the program became self-sufficient through the contributions of parents and the community, we agreed to collaborate on a program double the size in the same general region.

Bedari visited the region through the first part of 2014, and settled on three villages that were geographically affiliated: Maira Aemah, Thirchak, and Hattar. A combined cohort of sixty students was identified, and arrangements were made to launch in the Fall. A common thread in the girls' stories is the high cost of transportation to attend school, and we agreed that the scholarships would focus on that need.

After the Fall program began, we had incredible news from Bedari: parents and the community were so enthusiastic about this opportunity, that they were increasing their contribution to the costs. As a result we were able to add another dozen students from the existing villages, as well as add another nearby village called Dharyala Kahoon. In total, we are now supporting 100 students, but at the same expense planned for 60!

We look forward to bringing you continued good news about this program, and sharing stories of the individual students as they progress. 

cheers

Steve

Links:

• Girls Education International main site