The promise of an education is more than just reading and arithmetic. When fully realized, this promise includes learning how to get along with others, coping with setbacks, and discovering strengths. A decent education provides children the foundation they need to reach their full potential, and is a basic right that no child should be denied.

However, 101 million children around the world are out of school.^* The majority of these young people are girls. A lack of education not only limits their ability to control their own lives, but also make positive contributions to the lives of others. This is especially true during a time of crisis, like the famine currently unfolding in the Horn of Africa. During times like this, stability, reassurance and guidance are more critical to a child's development than at any other point.

CARE provides education and leadership opportunities for millions of children around the world affected by poverty, as well as those caught in the middle of humanitarian crises. Our programs are aimed at helping children gain the skills they need to succeed in school and far beyond. In fact, last year we provided nearly 13 million people with improved access to school and quality education.

* 2011 Unicef

In 2011, CARE’s programs worked to provide more than 5 million people with improved access to school and better quality education.