Canhelp exists to enhance the quality of life for members of poor communities in Nepal and Cambodia, with particular focus on the education of children and the empowerment of mothers.
With education so many positives flow:
- improved socio-economic circumstances;
- a significant enhancement of the feeling of self-worth, and ;
- importantly, through the rise in status and education of girls the potential for improvement in family planning resulting in lesser population pressures at the family, community and national levels.
Sponsoring girls in developing countries
Only in developed countries is there anything like equal opportunity for girls and women. Girls in Nepal and Cambodia are at a disadvantage right from birth. There have been many reports over the years that in some countries they are drowned as babies, as they are considered “worthless”.
There are many good reasons to educate girls and young women – with benefits to the whole community. In fact, dollars spent in this area bring great returns on investment. The World Bank says “girls’ education yields some of the highest returns of all development investments, yielding both private and social benefits that accrue to individuals, families, and society at large.”
Education of girls has these outcomes:
- Improvement in economic productivity and growth – educated girls can get jobs, better jobs and are better paid. Families and communities benefit.
- They have greater self esteem – are valued in society, and can take leadership roles in their community.
- Being less easily dominated and less subservient, educated females are more likely to say “NO!”
- Protection of girls from HIV/AIDS infection. Schooling for girls is one of the most powerful tools in keeping girls and women safe from this disease.
- Educated girls are less likely to be sold and trafficked into the sex and slave trades.
- Girls who have been to school have lower maternal mortality rates, and will be better informed about maternal health and pre and postnatal care.
- They will marry later and have fewer children. They will have their first baby at a later age. Each additional year of schooling has a measurable effect on fertility rates.
- Their children will be healthier, and better nourished. Infant and toddler mortality rates are reduced.
- An educated mother is more likely to send her sons and daughters to school. The more the schooling of the mother, the longer her children stay in school.
