Families in Kantolomba, faced with impossible financial choices, do not see value in keeping a girl child in school. “Even if you wanted to,” noted one mother, “it just doesn’t seem to make sense.”

Thirteen years ago Living Compassion began providing education assistance. “The nutrition program, in itself, was probably the number one factor in allowing families to keep their children in school,” Veronica told us. “Out from under the constant threat of their children dying from malnutrition, and all resources needing to be funneled to sustenance, parents could direct what little they had to other needs, education among them.” But for many years, this still meant boys stayed in school while girls got married.

But with the unwavering support of the team in Kantolomba, a tiny group of courageous, determined girls has been bucking that convention. They demonstrated to themselves, to their community, and to Living Compassion that they would do whatever it took to persist in their education. Fast-forward 6 years. The first group of these girls is now in college, and the entire community of Kantolomba is standing up and taking notice!

“The most amazing thing,” Theresa reported to us one day, “mothers, even fathers, are now coming to me and asking for their girls to be in the program. They are seeing the value. The attitude has shifted completely.” She said she sees families making their own investment in girls’ education now, even aside from what the project is providing. “It just shows you what the example of a few girls can do!

In Gasshō