The mission of Her Star Scholars is to help girls and young women around the world go to school, to provide enrichment programs, and skills training that will help girls reach their educational potential.

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Special Dangers Face Poor and Uneducated Girls

The BBC today covered a story about 2 Swedish men who have been arrested and given life sentences in the Philippines for running an  internet pornography ring. This particular operation was not far from the city in the Philippines where Her Star Scholars is sending girls to school.

Rampant poverty and girls with no schooling or hope for employment create a dangerous situation where girls of all ages are vulnerable to abuse. Parents are often convinced that they are sending their girls to work in respectable high-paying jobs in other cities.

Arrests over internet pornography

An important part of the Her Star Scholars model is to educate the parents to the dangers their daughters may face. Social workers familiar with the risks that these girls face talk with the parents one-on-one and explain the different types of scams that are operating locally as well as talking about abuse faced by  overseas workers. Girls are taught how to protect themselves and how to seek help in dangerous or scary situations.

Education of the girls in the Philippines and the around the world provides them with the self-esteem needed to be willing to stand-up for and protect themselves.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

Parents At Work

It is hard to believe that the summer break for children in the Philippines is almost over. Registration begins  the last week of May.
Parents are already putting in volunteer hours to get the pre-school put together. Some are cleaning inside, some are painting tables while others prepare the school grounds and make repairs to the building.
One teacher has spent the summer preparing Kinder 2 graduates to begin 1st grade; another has been taking enrichment classes to help her learn new techniques in the school room.
The children are so excited that classes will be starting again soon!