Lent - Keep it simple

Come as you are

Junior, works locally through All We Can’s partner Methodist Development and Relief Agency

“Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.” —Proverbs 4:13 (NIV)

Culturally, if you have girls you are looked down upon, because are seen as better.

Some things in life that are simple for us, are a struggle for others. Accessing free education is one of them.

In Zimbabwe, as in other parts of the world, many families prioritise educating their sons above their daughters. Junior grew up in a poor community in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. She is one of five daughters and she has one brother.

She says, “My dad had sisters who didn't have the opportunity to go to school and they were living miserable lives. They were victims of gender-based violence and they were very poor. I think from that my dad could see the value of girls going to school.”

Junior was given the opportunity to go to school and then she pursued further education where she studied issues around gender in development. She explains, "I thought if I do well at school, I will be able to stop the difficulties like those women in my family were facing."

For the last ten years, Junior has worked for a local Zimbabwean organisation, which All We Can are supporting, helping to bring change to the lives of vulnerable women and families.

"l am really inspired by the changes I have seen in people’s lives. Like working with people with no source of income but after a

few months, after a year, their lives change because they have a source of income.

And the way that our activities empower women gives them a social status within the society and that really inspires me.”

Great Teacher, children need an education to have the full and abundant life You came to give them. Your Word demonstrates how You touch people’s hearts to spur them to action for their own benefit. Bless people living in poverty by providing ways to learn to read and to apply this new skill to help lift their families out of poverty — for this generation and generations to come. Amen

Action: Continue to pray for teachers, and teaching assistants as they help children across the world to grow in knowledge and ability.