"What we are trying to do may be just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."
— Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time)
— Greg Mortenson (Three Cups of Tea: One Man's Mission to Promote Peace... One School at a Time)
In our increasingly connected world, it's impossible to turn a blind eye on the injustices and inequalities that exist. Whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, we're all members of the same global community and with that comes the responsibility to help those less fortunate. So while we're all facing our own life obligations and struggles, we ask you to take a minute to realize just how blessed we all are.
So much of our education seemed like a given throughout our lives. We went to grade school, continued onto high school and in some cases, went on to college. Inherent in all of this was opportunity. Opportunities we're now reaping the benefits of. Opportunities most of us took for granted. Unfortunately, this is not the case in many parts of the world.
In Uganda, only one in four children have the opportunity to continue their education past the primary level. Due to lack of access to schools and resources, those children end up perpetuating the cycle of poverty and conflict so widespread throughout Africa.
It's these opportunities we've been given that have inspired us to take action. In February, we're going to Uganda for two to three weeks to volunteer with P.E.A.S. (Promoting Equality in African Schools), a UK based organization that strives to unlock the potential of Africa by delivering equal access to affordable, quality secondary education. PEAS has built, and runs, five secondary schools in Uganda and the number of students enrolling has increased year-on-year. With three new schools opening in February 2011, PEAS schools will be educating nearly 3,000 young Ugandans next year. These children may not have otherwise had the opportunity to attend secondary school. It's a daunting task to think we can have any real impact in changing the face of education in Africa, but we're trying.
As part of our volunteer commitment, we've been asked to raise £2500* (~$3900) towards expanding their program. While this won’t save the world or end poverty in Uganda– we’re trying to do our small part to make a difference…to make education available to a new generation of children. Our hope is that they will then be empowered to do the same for their children... making this world we share a little bit better for generations to follow.
For just $212 you can send a Ugandan child through their secondary education (this varies from 4-6 years). We encourage you to take a few minutes and check out the PEAS website to see how their unique approach is vastly improving the future for Ugandan children. Their model has been so successful they're now expanding into Zambia. http://www.peas.org.uk
Thank you in advance for your generous contribution. Even the smallest amount can make a difference in the life of a child.
Kelly and Avele
"And they did it with something that is basicly worthless in our society - pennies. But overseas, pennies can move mountains"
*Please note that all donations made through this site will be in British pounds. If you would rather send a check, please send it to:
Kelly Case
1409 C North Van Dorn Street
Alexandria, VA 22304
Avele Conlogue
1243 Linden Pl NE
Washington, D.C. 20002
