Back to School?

In the year 2000, there were 76.6 million students in the United States, according to the US Census.  That's one-fourth of our nation's population ages three and above, and includes all students from pre-school through graduate school.

Not everyone in the world, however, is so privileged.  The September 4 edition of World Vision Report stated that worldwide there are over 100,000,000 school-aged children who are not enrolled in school.  They are kept from school for many reasons. Here are a few:  Education is not always free, and parents can't afford the cost.  If the kids are kept home they can help with the family business and bring in a little money.  The parents may be uneducated and close-minded or even afraid of public schools.  No schools exist in their area.  Some are homeless, others are orphaned and are raising younger siblings. Health and hygiene issues may impact their lives too.  In Kenya and South Africa girls are gaining access to sanitary pads, making it possible for them to go to school without shame.

We take our education for granted.  What can we in America do to make it possible for boys and girls around the world to go to school?  In an earlier post I mentioned International Child Care Ministries through whom we sponsor a couple of children.  ICCM is changing lives around the world as, for $21 a month, sponsors provide an education and nutrition for kids who would otherwise go without.

That's just one way you can get involved.  There are hundreds of other opportunities.  What will you choose to do?