Education and Our Children

I am currently reading “3 Cups of Tea“.  It is a powerful account of Greg Mortenson’s humanitarian mission to bring education to children in Pakistan and Afghanistan. 

In an odd way it is also timely.  My daughter attends public school in Salem, MA.   The mayor, parents and administrators are working relentlessly to deal with a unexpected financial crisis to the tune of a 4.7 million dollar deficit resulting in layoffs of teachers and other school staff in the middle of the school year.

So, why would I ever compare the challenges of impoverished children in Pakistan to our children?  Well I often thought as I read Greg’s book that perhaps our children here do not value their education-the privilege of that lost on them.   But in recent weeks during this crisis, what I have witnessed instead is leadership in the face of conflict, unity among the parents to bring about change and the power of our children.   This evening I’ll be attending a special meeting where there will be a vote on funding that has been made available by the governor.  This money would save our teacher’s jobs!  In addition to the state government, this was made possible in large part by the community coming together to fight for their schools, along with large community donations by the North Shore Medical Center, The Salem Rotary (and many others) as well as parents and perhaps the most touching (for me), a fundraiser led by my 6 year old daughter, where children brought in their very own pennies, dimes and quarters to try and save the jobs of their teachers, librarians and paraprofessionals. 

It’s amazing what can happen when people come together.  I’m thrilled to know it is for a common cause-education.  Because education really is the key to our children’s future-in every corner of the world…in Pakistan, in my backyard… everywhere.