Access to education is often a privilege, not a guarantee, for many children worldwide, particularly in underserved communities. At Edify, we are dedicated to breaking down these barriers to ensure every child can enter a classroom and reach their full potential. However, these challenges are even steeper for young women, with higher obstacles and greater stakes.
The Challenge
In many of the countries where Edify operates, cultural norms, economic challenges, and lack of resources disproportionately affect girls’ education. Early marriage, child labor, and societal expectations often force young girls to abandon their studies. Even when families prioritize education, boys are often sent to school while girls remain at home.
Statistics from UNICEF reveal a sobering reality. In Uganda, over 1.2 million children aged 6-12 years are out of school, with girls disproportionately affected due to factors like early marriage, child labor, and the costs of education. In the Dominican Republic, a striking 169,500 school-aged girls are out of school, with girls from rural areas and low-income families facing the most significant challenges. Factors such as early pregnancy and household responsibilities contribute to elevated dropout rates among girls in secondary education. Similarly, in Peru, indigenous and rural girls encounter severe obstacles to education. Poverty, language barriers, and cultural norms limit their enrollment and increase dropout rates, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions to address these disparities.
Our Approach
At Edify, we believe in empowering schools through Christ-centered education to nurture all students’ minds, spirits, and futures. Our efforts focus on walking alongside low-fee private schools that offer quality education in safe and supportive environments. By partnering with school owners, training teachers, and improving sustainability, we help to bridge the gender gap in education.
Stories of Impact
In Uganda, transformation stories like Mary’s showcase the powerful change taking root in underserved communities. Growing up in an environment with little encouragement or opportunity to succeed in school, Mary faced significant challenges. Yet, after joining Jinja Parents Secondary School, a school partnering with Edify, her life took a dramatic turn. She shares, “Before… I lived a life of no purpose and lacked a vision and mission. Today, my vision is ‘To make the world a Godly Nation.’”
Equipped with teachings on personal vision and spiritual growth, Mary dares to dream now, even leading sessions in her school’s Discipleship Club, and guiding her peers in quiet time and Bible study. Reflecting on the impact, she says, “I have seen our fellowship grow through fasting and studying the Word of God.”
Similarly, at Edify partner school, Fuente De Esperanza, in the Dominican Republic, doors are open for these young women. The school’s proprietor, Aguedita, shares, “We began to teach them from a young age that if any of them wanted to be doctors, they could achieve it, that if any of them wanted to be engineers, they could achieve it. So when we met Edify through a training we attended, we knew it was the perfect fit to serve our students. Since our partnership in 2019, we have always been able to count on [Edify] to train our staff and ourselves.”
Because of local leaders like Aguedita, students like Mary, and countless others in our countries of operation, schools Edify partners serve over 8 million students. Of those 8 million students, 52 percent are girls defying the odds and signaling hope for future generations of young women.
Continuing On
With such determination in the schools we are privileged to partner with, the tides are quickly changing for young women across our countries of operation. While there is much to celebrate, the journey is far from over. With God’s favor and provision, we continue to expand our efforts to impact more students, train more teachers, and empower schools to expand their reach. By investing in girls’ education, we are investing in a future where every child can thrive.
