GIRLS EDUCATION PROGRAM (GEP)
Our Girls Education Program (GEP) empowers girls in poverty by keeping them in school. By providing an education to poor girls, we can break the cycle of poverty and child marriage and get girls onto the path to success. Working with families and communities, we can build a new understanding of the potential for educated girls, and help transform the way entire regions think about poor girls. We believe that educating and empowering girls in poverty is the best investment anyone can make to fight injustice and poverty.
Speak Up currently sponsors the education of more than 1,600 girls in 35 villages and urban communities in the Khulna area of western Bangladesh. These girls are predominantly Dalits, descendants of the Hindu untouchables, or very poor Muslim girls. They are among the poorest and most marginalized people in an already impoverished country.
Since these girls come from villages where women previously did not finish their education or gain outside employment, our GEP helps girls navigate the difficult path to academic success: staying in school, standing against child marriage, and giving each girl a step-by-step plan for achieving her long-term dream. Hundreds of girls dream of becoming teachers and nurses and doctors and more, hoping to serve their impoverished communities one day. The GEP empowers them to reach that dream.
To date, 925 GEP girls have monthly sponsors, and we are looking for many more to join the Sponsorship Team. Sponsors contribute $40 per month to sponsor one girl’s education, including daily tutoring, books and school supplies, and monthly educational seminars. Sponsors receive the name, photo, and other information about the girl they are sponsoring. They also receive letters written by their sponsored girl, and can send letters and photos to her, to build a personal connection.
How to sponsor a girl:
Click the button below to set up a $40 per month donation. Our staff will contact you to assign you a girl to sponsor.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
