Numbers tell a story. In Pakistan, which ranks last in South Asia for women's literacy, they speak of girls who have a slim chance of going to school. This is most evident in the Dadu district—located in the Sindh Province of Western Pakistan—where only 12 percent of women can read and write.

Since 2002, the NetAid World Schoolhouse has been working with Indus Resource Centre (IRC) to address this problem, setting up community run schools that have helped more than 400 girls enroll in school and stay there. The secret to the program's success? Sustained community participation and innovative teacher training.

Building on the success of previous collaboration, NetAid is helping IRC strengthen teacher training to improve the quality of education girls receive in primary schools. Additionally, the IRC is creating a new program in Dadu district to teach mothers how to read and write. The IRC has initiated this training successfully in other districts, where it has been shown to result in more children going to school, including girls.

In order to educate mothers, IRC will train teachers in literacy techniques and establish resource centers where they can provide instruction. The centers will be stocked with materials for all new readers, including girls, mothers and other members of the community. Throughout these these new activities, IRC will focus on taking steps to ensure the programs are eventually run by the communities themselves.

By supporting NetAid and IRC, you will provide sustainable educational opportunities and give communities concrete resources to escape from poverty.