School closures due to the pandemic have caused devastating damage to education among children around the world. Since the global lockdown in 2020, schools in more than 160 countries have closed, disproportionately affecting over millions of students in countries with low- and middle-income brackets. According to the UN, 70% of 10-year-olds living in higher risk countries are unable to read a simple piece of text, a significant jump from the 53% pre-pandemic rate. 

Children without adequate support at home have fallen full years behind in their studies, many dropping out altogether.  Children with no access to technology are left behind, and domestic abuse rates have risen as students are forced to stay home.  More than catastrophic disruptions in learning, school closures have driven up levels of anxiety and depression among children and stripped school meals from students, a reliable source of food for more than 370 million children.  "In March, we will mark two years of COVID-19-related disruptions to global education," says Robert Jenkins, UNICEF Chief of Education. "Quite simply, we are looking at a nearly insurmountable scale of loss to children’s schooling." 

And yet, against all odds, Embers International’s children are flourishing.  Our G.R.A.C.E. Initiative students have advanced forward in their second year at a private school, preparing to shift to in-person learning soon (top left photo). Sahasee Embers remains a beacon of hope to the red-light community of Turbhe, located in the outskirts of Mumbai. Children are provided with not only technology for remote learning, but also with nourishing meals and after-school assistance. The Sahasee Embers library continues to take shape as a groundbreaking space for children to explore freely and learn safely in the red-light area. 

Backed by faithful supporters, visionary grantors, and local partners in the red-light districts, Embers has steadily provided private school education throughout the pandemic to students ages 4 to 22 years old. At the end of 2021, three new Legacy Education students embarked on an exciting new journey to begin nursing studies (bottom photo). Madhu and Roshni completed their two-year nursing program at the top of their class and are forging ahead in their studies to obtain a more advanced nursing degree. We are beyond proud of our G.R.A.C.E. Initiative and Legacy Education students for charging ahead with courage and resilience in the midst of a pandemic that reaped massive loss. 

Thank you for making education for our children a reality.  As we reflect on a full year, we look forward with much hope.

SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN'S EDUCATION

2021 Year-End Campaign Update

In December, we launched our Year-End Campaign, backed by our amazing friends who pledged to match your gifts up to $35,000. We are thrilled to report that thanks to your generosity, we exceeded our goal and raised $77,943.42 together!

Thank you for closing out 2021 with generosity.  You made our Year-End Campaign such a success. In 2021, you demonstrated love for our clients through an outpouring of support for our programs that offer sustainable pathways out of generational oppression, human trafficking, and poverty.  Because of you, together with our clients, we can look forward to more safety, restoration, and growth in the new year. Will you continue to walk with us to witness it?

Virtual Hangout This Thursday, 2/3

Join us this Thursday, February 3rd from 8:00 - 8:30pm for a virtual gathering with vibrant group of community-oriented individuals interested in the work of justice. Catch up with old friends, meet new ones, and find out what the Embers Collective is planning for this new year. We look forward to seeing you this week!

Questions? Reach out to Hannah Park at hannah@embersinternational.org for more information.

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Make Embers Your AmazonSmile Charity

You can support our mission while shopping on Amazon! At no additional cost to you, 0.5% of your purchase will automatically go to Embers if you designate us as your charity on AmazonSmile.

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