ABCD: Art Building Children’s Dreams began it’s work in Tanzania in 2007 and became a registered charity in 2008. ABCD works to assist children in the Kilimanjaro Region of Tanzania to complete their education, remain healthy and one day give back to their own villages and communities. In addition to funding school fees, uniforms and school supplies, ABCD is supporting breakfast programs in primary schools, starting libraries in schools, providing language development programs to children, and initiating a community based computer literacy centre for the children. ABCD visits the children every year and bring back their wonderful art as a fundraising vehicle. ABCD also brings volunteer teams to Tanzania to share their skills and talents for the children of Kilimanjaro. Please visit them at www.abcdreams.ca and follow their blog.

Ayni’s work initially started in 2001 by purely teaching English to just three classes in a Primary School. Now, ten years later, they have boosted their role as educators not only by teaching English to all six grades in the elementary school but to tackling all the factors inhibiting education in Alto de los Mores. What’s more, by working closely with the community, together Ayni has initiated a number of community development projects that continue to grow, including offering secondary school and post secondary school scholarships. Visit Ayni’s site at ayni.footboot.net to see all the ways they are supporting the community of Alto de los Mores.

Education without Borders aims to provide improved educational opportunities and facilities in disadvantaged regions of the world. Formed in 2002 in Vancouver and granted charitable status in 2003, Education Without Borders believes that the development of knowledge and skills gives individuals greater control over their lives and more possibilities and choices for their future. Enhanced educational opportunities build communities from within, and facilitate bridging between communities. Visit the Education Without Borders site at educationwithoutborders.ca, where you may find information on their projects and how you can get involved.

With the Adopt a Village Brick by Brick: Schoolbuilding program, you raise money to build a new school from the ground up. With a quality education, kids learn the skills they need to break out of poverty, protect their own rights and see that their future children go to school. More information at the Free the Children website at freethechildren.com.

Pencils for Kids’ projects are currently taking place in Niger, West Africa, one of the poorest countries in the world according to the United Nations. They partner with the community of Liboré, which has a population of 24,500. Once Pencils for Kids has identified the needs of the children, they work with the community to design effective education projects and programs. There are a variety of projects that you can become involved in, and all the information can be found at the Pencils for Kids site pencilsforkids.com

Sleeping Children Around the World donations provide bedkits to children of any race and/or religion who will benefit the most; typically being located in underdeveloped and developing countries. No portion of a bedkit donation is spent on administration — 100% reaches a needy child. Each $35 CAD donation provides a bedkit that consists of a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if applicable), clothes outfit, towel and school supplies. Bedkit contents vary from country to country depending upon local needs. For more information on how you can become involved, please visit their website at scaw.org

The 30 Hour Famine is the world’s biggest youth fund-raiser. Go hungry for a day and help save lives around the globe. You can choose where your funds go towards: food and nutrition, child protection, education, or water. If you choose to commit funds to education, the money raised will build and fix schools, provide uniforms, books and supplies and hire much-needed teachers. More information on the 30 Hour Famine and the causes of which the funds support can be found at famine.ca