A recent milestone in my eldest daughter's life is the most special gift I've received this year. Lily-Rose started kindergarten a few months ago. Seeing the excitement on her small face, and a real hunger to learn, is such a joy.
As a father of two young girls, I can't imagine my daughters being denied an education simply because of their gender. It would shatter me. But today, almost 60 million youth around the world are not in school, and girls outnumber boys among children who are not being educated.
It's tragic and terribly short-sighted. If there is a magic bullet for breaking the cycle of poverty, it's educating girls and young women. This isn't just a nice thing to do, or a hand out; it's a strategic investment with massive returns.
When you educate a girl, you lift up her whole family and entire community so they can stand on their own. I see this impact first-hand in Kenya when I visit the rural, impoverished communities where Free The Children has worked alongside local leaders and educators, building schools for almost 20 years.
Watching Lily-Rose eagerly anticipate school each morning reminds me of a Kenyan girl, Hellen Leiman. Hellen started her educational journey around the same age as my daughter in one of the classes Free The Children supporters built in Narok County. Her family lives on less than $1 a day.
Four years ago, at age 14, Hellen's father declared her school days were finished. She would marry a much older man. I still wince at the thought of Hellen's tremendous potential being cut short.
Fortunately, one of our staff stepped in. Carolyn Morra is the principal of the Kisaruni All Girls School. We opened the only high school in the region for girls in 2011. Morra told Hellen's father that his daughter was an exceptional student, who had a scholarship to the high school. But the father firmly resisted; he argued the amount he may eventually receive for Hellen's dowry would only dwindle as she matured in school.
Morra confidently offered to pay any difference. "I promise you can hedge your bets on your daughter being educated," she said.
I met Hellen's father at the Kisaruni graduation ceremony early this year. He brought his entire village to witness his daughter getting her diploma. Not even a sudden rain shower could hide the tears of sheer pride streaming down his weathered face.
Lily-Rose won't end her education with a high school graduation. Now Hellen has new opportunities, too.
The greatest gift we can give to the communities we work in, and our supporters, is providing young women like Hellen with the skills and knowledge to be successful local leaders, ensuring investments in the community remain there.
That's why we opened the Kisaruni Technical College for young women this spring. The new institution will serve the broader communities of Narok County, so Hellen and others don't have to move to big cities for their education, where they're likely to stay.
Kisaruni graduates with Marc and Craig KielburgerPhoto Credit: Sara Cornthwaite
Today, the college has two classrooms, a dormitory, and we are working on plans for various programs that will include tourism and hospitality, entrepreneurship, nursing, and early childhood education. We will also offer classes on leadership, public speaking and world issues.
Of course, there will be scholarships, so even daughters in families that live on $1 a day can rise up.
I was thrilled to see Hellen recently among the 24 graduates from the new college's first six-month internship program. She enthusiastically shared her intention to become a teacher. "Our community still has few teachers. I want to help other children," Hellen said.
When all the Hellens thrive, lead, and give back, communities becomes truly self-sustainable. I can't wait to see the incredible legacy that the graduates of our developing Kisaruni Technical College will leave.
This post is part of a series produced by The Huffington Post and the 92nd Street Y, founders of #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving that will take place this year on December 1. These stories highlight the work of organizations and people around the world who are committed to giving back and doing good this #GivingTuesday.