Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 04:54PMUniforms aren't always a part of the educational experience in North America, but they are required by schools in many parts of the world. The costs of uniforms alone can make education very expensive for parents who struggle financially. So why are they required?
I've asked that same question in many countries and been given many different answers. However, one explanation remains consistent around the world - uniforms are for the benefit of the poorest children. In uniforms the poorest children don't stand out as much. They look like all of the other children.
Keep in mind many of the children we sponsor only have one set of clothes. As Edgardo, our incredible volunteer social worker, explained to me "it raises the children's self-esteem because they feel proud to have something new to wear and happier because they no longer look so poor."
The mission of Her Star Scholars is to help girls reach their academic potential so that they can make a difference in their own lives, the lives of their families, and in their communities. Purchasing the uniforms for our kindergarten students also helped a grandmother in the local community with her business. This woman cares for her young grand-daughter alone and works as a seamstress to support her. The school hired her to sew all of the uniforms for the year; she is so thankful for the help given her grandchild that she very generously offered a discount from her normal prices.
I think the girls look just lovely in their new uniforms!
