Books Over Barriers: Uplifting African Children's Potential

We are a group of UNT students launching a GoFundMe campaign to support the Education Foundation for African Children. Across sub-Saharan Africa, over one-fifth of children aged 6 to 11 are out of school (UNESCO, 2021), and four out of five children aged 10 cannot read or comprehend a simple story (UNICEF, 2021). In countries such as Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Guinea, more than 70% of the poorest children lack access to education (Statista, 2021). These statistics underscore the urgent need for transformative change. The Education Foundation for African Children is working to address these challenges by building schools, providing essential supplies, and offering merit-based scholarships.

With a fundraising goal of $500, your contributions will directly support this cause. Specifically, $500 can purchase approximately 100 books for students, provide school supplies such as notebooks and pens for up to 100 children, and offer shoes for around 20 students who endure long walks to school (World Bank, 2021).

Additionally, the funds could contribute to increasing teacher salaries by approximately 10%, depending on the region, helping to retain dedicated educators who work tirelessly to improve the quality of education (UNESCO, 2021). This small but impactful increase can help reduce teacher turnover and ensure consistent instruction for students. Your support will help improve access to education, enhance learning outcomes, and provide opportunities for children who are otherwise left behind. Together, we can make a lasting impact by ensuring every child in Africa has the chance to succeed academically and break the cycle of poverty.

Sources:

- UNESCO, "Education in Africa: Key Figures," 2021. [UNESCO](https://uis.unesco.org/en/topic/education-africa)

- UNICEF, "Ahead of African Child Day, UNICEF says African governments still not spending enough on education," 2021. [UNICEF](https://www.unicef.org/wca/press-releases/ahead-day-african-child-unicef-says-african-governments-still-not-spending-what-they)

- Statista, "Poor children not attending school in Africa," 2021. [Statista](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1211588/poor-children-not-attending-school-in-africa/)

- World Bank, "World Bank Annual Report 2021," 2021. [World Bank](https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/annual-report)