By Doris Christelis, Contributing Writer
Northborough/Southborough – A dedicated group of girls at Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough is reaching out to help teach other girls. Only the students aren's in Massachusetts, but in a poor country halfway around the world.
The girls started a local chapter of Girls Learn International (GLI), a charitable organization that fosters better women's education in countries where girls lag behind boys in access to education and where girls are far less likely than boys to stay in school past primary grades.
“I have been interested in women's rights for a long time. I think about how lucky I am to live here and what my life would have been like, not only if I lived in another country but if I was a girl in that poor country,” explained Caroline Muirhead, a junior at Algonquin and GLI's chapter president. “My aunt is a guidance counselor and she had heard about GLI and got me interested. Now we have about 15 members at Algonquin who are excited about the work we are doing to help other women that are not as lucky as us.”
Her fellow members echo her sentiments.
“Human rights are really important to all of us. Everyone deserves food, clean water, and education,” Elizabeth Wig said.
Many of the GLI members have been in foreign countries where they have witnessed for themselves the poverty that can lead to an impaired learning environment for girls who are often discouraged or unable to attend school for a host of cultural and economic reasons.
In its first year, the club made about $350 selling bracelets handmade by girls in India. The money went back to the girls who made the bracelets. With the guidance of Gina Johnston and Karla Steele, both teachers at Algonquin, the girls are also planning the Algonquin Regional 5K to be held Saturday, May 19. Proceeds from the entry fees will benefit GLI. Next year the Algonquin chapter of GLI will be partnered with a specific international school for which they can continue fundraising and develop joint programs to build cultural understanding between the two schools.
In order to qualify as a GLI Partner School, an international school must engage in specific activities to promote girls” access to education. The schools receiving aid use it to offer affordable, free or subsidized education for girls; provide transportation for students to arrive at school safely; to encourage the continuation of education; and offer a curriculum that is gender-sensitive and free of stereotypes.
To register for the Algonquin Regional 5K, contact Karla Steele at [email protected] or visit www.coolrunning.com or web.nsboro.k12.ma.us/Algonquin/. For more information on Girls Learn International, visit www.girlslearn.net.