What better way to imagine the impact our programs have on children's lives than through the stories of the children themselves?

Meet Chanchal (16) from India.

In some countries, like India, it's unfortunately not a given that all children attend school. As a result, they miss out on the knowledge and skills they desperately need for better opportunities in the future. We want to change that.

In the eastern states of Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand, people primarily rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Many adults have little or no schooling and cannot read or write. As a result, they often fail to appreciate the importance of education for their children.
Work is more important: they are poor, and the children have to help earn some money. Girls are often kept at home to help with housework and are at risk of being married off at a young age.

When Chanchal's father died, her mother couldn't make ends meet for the family. She dropped out of school to help out at home, and marriage soon became a topic of conversation. Thanks to our local partner, she was able to share her story at meetings with peers and volunteers. These volunteers subsequently educated her mother about the dangers of child marriage and the benefits of pursuing an education.

Thanks to their efforts, Chanchal is now back in school and has a chance for a better future.