Girls' Education in Bhutan: CTAS
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Hello! My name is Leila Foulon and I am a junior living in New York City. I have decided to run a 5K to raise funds for a cause that is very near and dear to my heart, CTAS. I decided to run a 5K because for those of you who know me, know that running is one of the hardest things for me, and I really wanted to challenge myself in order to help the girls who attend CTAS. Here is the story of how I got involved with CTAS and how it is helping so many girls realize their potential:
One Sunday afternoon, I went out for ice cream with my father. Being a typical seven year, old, I sighed at the thought of going to school the next day. While I was indulging in my cone, my dad sat me down and told me about the realities of girls' education in the world; he told me about how it is not the rule, but rather the exception, that globally girls receive an education outside of the house. My whole life perspective shifted in that instant, and I talked with my father about ways in which we could make a difference.
So, in 2007, I fundraised for a year at my school to raise money to build a dorm at a traditionally all-boys art school called CTAS in Bhutan. The school is centered around art, a pillar of Bhutanese society, and offers a free education to its students. Since its foundation in 2008, Leila’s Hostel has provided the opportunity for girls to attend CTAS as well. Funds raised were not only directed towards the building of the dorms, but also to the maintenance and expansion of the other facilities. Despite continued strong support, CTAS is still experiencing a financial deficit and is unable to maintain a decent salary for all the teachers, causing many of them to leave. Without the teachers, CTAS would be unable to run at its current excellence and the students who have worked so hard to gain admission and flourish under the extensive curriculum would be unable to reap the benefits of their work. After continued visits to the school, I have seen first hand the power of education: The cycle of poverty is being broken by offering students the tools needed to not only get, but succeed in a high-status job. When attending the first graduating class of girls, I was amazed to hear that all were offered jobs, many of them being government commissioned, before they even received their diploma. So, I want to ensure that CTAS will continue to thrive and prosper, and we need your help! Please consider making a donation and help change the lives of girls in Bhutan.
Thank you!
Leila
One Sunday afternoon, I went out for ice cream with my father. Being a typical seven year, old, I sighed at the thought of going to school the next day. While I was indulging in my cone, my dad sat me down and told me about the realities of girls' education in the world; he told me about how it is not the rule, but rather the exception, that globally girls receive an education outside of the house. My whole life perspective shifted in that instant, and I talked with my father about ways in which we could make a difference.
So, in 2007, I fundraised for a year at my school to raise money to build a dorm at a traditionally all-boys art school called CTAS in Bhutan. The school is centered around art, a pillar of Bhutanese society, and offers a free education to its students. Since its foundation in 2008, Leila’s Hostel has provided the opportunity for girls to attend CTAS as well. Funds raised were not only directed towards the building of the dorms, but also to the maintenance and expansion of the other facilities. Despite continued strong support, CTAS is still experiencing a financial deficit and is unable to maintain a decent salary for all the teachers, causing many of them to leave. Without the teachers, CTAS would be unable to run at its current excellence and the students who have worked so hard to gain admission and flourish under the extensive curriculum would be unable to reap the benefits of their work. After continued visits to the school, I have seen first hand the power of education: The cycle of poverty is being broken by offering students the tools needed to not only get, but succeed in a high-status job. When attending the first graduating class of girls, I was amazed to hear that all were offered jobs, many of them being government commissioned, before they even received their diploma. So, I want to ensure that CTAS will continue to thrive and prosper, and we need your help! Please consider making a donation and help change the lives of girls in Bhutan.
Thank you!
Leila
Organizer and beneficiary
Leila Foulon
Organizer
New York, NY
Micheline Kramer
Beneficiary
