Girl Guides Australia and UNICEF Australia to help girls read and write
Supporting girls education in Papua New Guinea
Did you know that:
- More than half of the 72 million primary school-aged children out of school are girls
- Papua New Guinea has the lowest primary school enrolment rate in East Asia and Pacific region
- Only 7 out of 10 girls in Papua New Guinea get the chance to go to primary school, and only half of these girls will stay in school till Grade 6.
- Educating girls can help end the cycle of poverty
- We all have the power to act
That’s why Girl Guides Australia and UNICEF Australia have partnered to help Girl Guides around Australia take action on girls education.
Through the Centenary International Service Challenge, Girl Guides around Australia will explore the many issues faced by children and young people worldwide, in particularly the issue of equal access to education. The girls will not only learn about these global issues, but will also help UNICEF Australia raise much needed funds to support a girls education project in Papua New Guinea.
The activity pack has been especially designed to enable Guides of all ages to achieve the International Service Challenge badge. The challenge can be run within a Unit, District, Division or Region or any combination of these issues.
Girl Guides Australia will aim to raise $60,000 for the girls education in PNG. This money will help achieve primary education for all children in the Western Highlands province of PNG as well as addressing gender equality in school and communities.
Click here to see how much money has been raised so far and to read stories about some of the activities and events that other Girl Guide units have organized.
How many girls can you help learn to read and write?
- If your unit raises $109, UNICEF can provide 200 girls in PNG with a pencil and exercise book to help them learn to read and write, an important step to help girls break free from a cycle of poverty.
- Part of being a Girl Guide is being able to work in a team. If your unit can work together to raise $110, UNICEF can provide a school in PNG with three volleyballs and three nets, allowing those girls to also enjoy team activities. Why not organise a volleyball tournament with your unit and ask friends and family for a gold coin donation to watch?
- For just $2.20 UNICEF can provide four children with a pencil and exercise book each. These simple tools are vital for helping children in PNG learn to read and write. Can your unit raise enough funds to provide a classroom of 30 children with pencils and exercise books?
Information on how to remit raised funds to UNICEF can be found in the back of the Service Challenge pack.