Education provides the key to a better future, helping people to fulfil their potential and pursue their goals in life. For millions of people across the developing world even basic education is simply out of reach.

Impact on Poverty
Poverty is closely linked to illiteracy - as both cause and consequence. Without basic literacy or skills the opportunities for people to break free from the cycle of poverty are limited.

Parents who are themselves poor and uneducated often cannot afford to send their children to school. Others are unable to provide help and support at home, contributing to academic failure and high drop-out rates. Literacy levels amongst poor rural communities are especially low.

Education opens up opportunities in employment, and lowers the risk of exploitation - literate farmers are able to sell their crops for a higher price. Education also gives people the opportunity to voice their opinions, get involved in community planning and to have their say at a national level.

Women and Education
Over 870 million adults are illiterate, and two thirds of them are women. However, educating girls results in better family health, and reduced rates of child malnutrition and mortality. It is estimated that every year of a mother's education reduces the risk of her child's premature death by 9%. Literate mothers are also more likely to send their daughters to school.

Quality Education
Even when it is available, education for the poor often involves meagre resources - open-air schools, poor buildings, few books, and teachers with little or no training. Improving the quality of education is vital in keeping children in school.

Islamic Relief and Education
Islamic Relief aims to provide impoverished people and communities with access to education or vocational training - providing a way out of the poverty trap. IR has initiated a number of community-based education projects aimed at marginalized communities. Working directly with the communities ensures that our projects are sustainable and relevant to their needs.

Islamic Relief: Distributes school equipment Educates women in health and hygiene Organises supplementary educational programmes Ensures that sponsored orphans receive an education Constructs new schools and rehabilitates war-damaged schools Provides literacy classes and vocational training courses for adults Supplies schools and universities with computers, books and resources

Current Education Projects