Care For Children
The second item in the United Nation’s Millennium goal indicates an achievement of universal primary education by the year 2015. Achievement of this goal will ensure that, by 2015, all children complete a full course of primary schooling. It is evident that this goal is failing as many children are still deprived of basic education in developing countries. Over 69 million school-age children are not in school. Almost half of them (31 million) are in sub-Saharan Africa, and more than a quarter (18 million) are in Southern Asia.
A program of the Art of Living Foundation, Care for Children partners with rural and tribal areas in Africa, Indonesia, India and other underdeveloped countries, to address the need for universal education by establishing schools and other educational infrastructure.
Our mission is to directly provide holistic education with an emphasis on social responsibility and human values to children in underserved communities.
The Care for Children program uniquely adds yoga and meditation to the primary educational program, and combines it with meals, transportation, clothing and healthcare, in order to meet all of the needs of the child. The program also engages parents and others in the community through adult skill development programs such as organic farming, sewing and crafts, reading, mediation and other practices, all of which strengthen and uplift the socioeconomics of the child’s community. Our involvement goes right to the heart of rural and tribal development. It goes beyond education and is part of a larger vision that encompasses adult literacy, health care, vocational training and social awareness.
The Care for Children program runs its own schools and there are many children waiting to be admitted to our schools, as well as an ongoing demand to open new schools. Our schools are often located in areas where no other educational infrastructure exists and in the absence of our schools, children would not receive a formal education. Many of the children that we serve are the first in their families to receive a formal education. To-date, Care for Children has established 185 schools around the world and provided education to 24,100 children.
Proceeds from the Yogathon will support Care for Children. Your support will help:
- Develop education infrastructure – classrooms, libraries
- Provide each student with balanced meals, regular medical care, textbooks, school supplies and 3 sets of uniforms
- Solar power installations for electricity
- Develop surrounding villages through vocational training for parents, organic farming techniques, tree planting and free medical camps.
With millions of children not currently enrolled in primary school and in secondary school, the need for the Care for Children program is vast. Together we can transform the future of children around the world.
For more information please visit: http://www.careforchildren.ca