Everyone wants to do something about climate disruption, but most of us don’t know where we could even start. The problem is so enormous, how could we ever do anything that would make a difference? Project Drawdown has a table of Solutions with over eighty ways to reduce heat-trapping gases in our atmosphere. Their analyses found the combination of “Educating Girls” and “Family Planning” to be the second most effective climate solution. Thus, helping educate girls is one of the most effective things we can do, right now. And while there are a host of other great reasons to support the education of girls in developing countries, having such a pronounced impact on climate disruption may be among the best.

Perhaps the greatest difficulty in funding girl child education lies in having reliable contacts in the locales where the girls live so that all of the funds go to supporting girls education, and making sure that they are distributed fairly and equitably. Friends United Meeting has been doing just that for some years at the Lindi School in the Kibera Slum, the largest slum in Africa, and at the Samburu and Turkana missions in Northwest Kenya.

NYYM Friends have had connections with the Lindi School, and also with the Chwele Girls High School. Generous NYYM Friends have offered matching funds to send promising girls from these locales on to secondary schools for four years, opening a door for them to a much brighter future.

Your gift to girl-child education, made before March 1, 2022, will be matched up to $7,500. Funds raised beyond the matching amount will be included in the scholarship account available for girls from the Lindi School, Chwele Girls High School, and the existing projects in Turkana and Samburu. Friends are encouraged to direct your gift to a particular area or have FUM apply your gift at whichever site is most needed.

Now is an opportune time to invest in the life-changing work of girl-child education! If you have questions about these scholarships or if you wish to consider different charitable giving options for this effort (donating an IRA, bequest gift, gift annuity, etc.), please contact Colin Saxton, FUM’s Advancement Officer/North American Ministries Director, at colinsa@fum.org or 503-550-1599.