redseven believes education is a right. And that young people have the power to create change. Together, young people have the power to support global youth education, in hopes of fostering a more peaceful and progressive world.

Free The Children shares similar beliefs on the cause for youth education globally, which is why we are donating $12,000, to support its initiative to build a school in Lai Gow, India.  This school will ensure that 40 children have a safe place to learn and the access to education they deserve. Through education, these children will help break the cycle of poverty in India and have the skills and knowledge to empower future generations. And educated citizens will help Lai Gow prosper.

But why Free the Children, you ask? Don’t other charities build schools and support primary education as well? redseven is ecstatic to support a charity whose values align so closely with our own and whose reputation will ensure that the funds donated will give 40 students in Lai Gow, India access to primary education.

Free the Children is the world’s largest network of children helping children through education, with more than one million youth involved in its innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. It was founded in 1995 by 12-year-old international child rights activist Craig Kielburger – a testament to the prolific impact one young person can make to change the world.

The primary goals of the organization are to free children from poverty and exploitation and free young people from the notion that they are powerless to affect positive change in the world. Through domestic empowerment programs and leadership training, Free The Children inspires young people to develop as socially conscious global citizens and become agents of change for their peers around the world.

So why are we building a school in India?

Unfortunately, there are more illiterate children in India than any country in the world. And we want to see an end to this staggering fact.

We chose to support building a school in Lai Gow, because the impact of this school will directly contribute to one of the biggest barriers children face in achieving primary education. Survey data from 40 countries show that, in 32 of them, school attendance is higher in urban than in rural areas. But the most determinant factor is that these children are poor. Lai Gow is a rural community in India, where poverty is rampant.

Imagine if all children in India had access to primary education. All Indian children could have a chance to be community leaders, pilots, inventors and teachers. A whole population of educated children in India could create sustainable environmental programs or could solve economic problems that plague impoverished communities. The possibilities for these children are endless. And so are the possibilities presented when one community comes together to support a cause.

There’s one day left to buy tickets to imagine a world and make this vision of youth education in India, a reality.

We hope to see you all tomorrow night,

Sabrina