Stay connected to the news, our team and our young people through these stories and regular updates on Facebook, Instagram and the GSGC blog.

Maybe you saw that we celebrated International Day of the Girl with many of our young women participating in She's The First's #GirlsGetLoud social media challenge. But members of GSGC-sponsored clubs in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Madagascar did much more on Oct. 11 — from participating in an international discussion panel to planting trees. 

As our fiscal year comes to a close tomorrow, we at Global Sojourns Giving Circle thank you for your 2020-2021 financial support. The pandemic’s second year has tested everyone’s patience, creativity and humor. But thanks to you, GSGC-sponsored Mentors and the nearly 900 young people they guide in clubs across Zambia, Zimbabwe and Madagascar have persisted — and prevailed.  

Girls are thriving academically, even after schools were shuttered for months. Teen pregnancy rates have risen in the community, but not among girls in GSGC clubs. Boys’ traditional perspectives about girls are changing, and demand for our clubs is steady.  

Your financial support made it all happen, and for that, we are grateful.  

There’s still much to do, and we’d love to do it with you. We hope you’ll help end our fiscal year with a bang and make a contribution by the end of Sunday, Oct. 31. 

The Taliban’s decision to exclude girls from the classroom since its August take-over in Afghanistan is a stark reminder of why educating girls — everywhere — is a foundational GSGC value. As a recent article in The Economist explains, development specialists worldwide agree that educating girls is crucial because literate girls: 

• Live longer, healthier lives 
• Avoid teen pregnancies or early marriage 
• Have more earning power 
• Have fewer children and are better able to provide for their families 
• Are on more equal footing with men 
• Raise children who are more likely to be educated 
• Invest in their families and help reduce poverty 

For more information on what GSGC thinks about educating girls, go to What We Believe.

Renewed possibilities abound now that travel is picking up in Africa. Only days ago, GSGC-sponsored Mentors hosted the first American visitors to learn about GSGC’s work since the pandemic shut down travel. Great exchange!

Plan to visit Russell Ford’s studio at 610 E. 19th St., Vancouver, during the eighth annual Open Studio event in Clark County, Washington. It runs 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday & Sunday, Nov. 6-7.

All proceeds from the sale of Russell’s leaf cultures will be donated to Global Sojourns Giving Circle.