This will be the 5th year that Jan 24 is recognized as the International Day of Education. Globally, over 250 million children and youth are not in school, and 617 million cannot read and do basic math. These numbers are not ok. Education is a human right and a public responsibility, and education is a key to breaking the cycle of poverty. CBM is engaged in education-related projects in 9 countries through our local church partners. These projects include- Jireh, in Bolivia, where children who have been victims of violence receive comprehensive care in education, health, psychosocial and spiritual support. The childcare centres in the Philippines, where the teachers serve as missionaries providing early childhood education to children in 5 poor communities. And the orphans and vulnerable children project in Rwanda provides school fees for children to attend school, especially girls who have unequal access to education. We invite you to join us in praying for these projects and others around the world and for the overall global education crisis- that there would be inclusive and equitable quality education for all.

Please pray:

• Pray for the church-based homework help clubs in Guatemala and the Dominican Republic, where children are provided with tutoring, devotional lessons, and healthy meals, as well as a lot of encouragement, to children and youth needing extra support to stay in school.
• Pray for the Casa, Emanuel and Jireh projects in Bolivia as they work with vulnerable children and youth and seek to provide educational support and vocational skills.
• Pray for Elim Compassion Ministries and the Soura Literacy project in India, specifically that these programs would expand into other rural villages so more students can access education.
• Pray for the True Vine school in Lebanon and the teachers. Pray for funding to support a collapsing education system that would allow Syrian refugee children to enter the public school system.
• Pray for the student centres in Myanmar that provide formal education to those not registered and unable to attend government schools.
• Pray for our education project in the Democratic Republic of Congo that supports children with physical challenges and youth living with post-conflict trauma.
• Pray that our partners would help provide inclusive and equitable education that opens doors to futures filled with hope.