Global Daughter: To All Teachers

One thing we have learned here is that education is the most important tool a country either does or does not possess. Like all developing nations around the world, Nepal still lacks basic education opportunities for its youth. It is our belief that educating children will be the key to Nepal's progression and rise out of poverty. Teachers here are not only trying to better the lives of their students, they are the leaders of a movement to stop the cycle of illiteracy, child labour and poverty.

So, to all teachers around the world, thank you. Thank you for your contribution to future generations and your commitment to social responsibility. We think very highly of educators (our parents are teachers) and realize that they are some of the most selfless and admirable global citizens.

Teachers in Nepal have to face uncertain circumstances in the classroom. Classes are held in open-air huts or on blankets in the grass in some cases. Most teachers in Nepal are paid very low wages and most are under-appreciated (this happens even in America!). Because communities and families can't afford books or basic supplies in some places, teachers will spend their own money to enrich their classrooms with resource materials (this also happens in America). In our visits to several schools in the village area and the mountains we have seen kids absolutely packed into small rooms with no desks. Their pencils are worn down to the last nub of lead and their tattered notebooks look like used tissue paper. School strikes are common and during country-wide strikes schools are not allowed to remain open. During petroleum shortages school buses can not ferry kids to school so the schools have to be shut down. Some children have to walk miles to the nearest school. Remember that story your gramps told you about having to walk 10 miles in the snow to the school house? Imagine that, now add the fact that some kids have to walk up the largest hills and mountains in the world (most of the time without shoes). They have to be the most fit kids on the planet!

Whether its holding class in the grass or in a four-story luxury private school, it all makes a difference. Anytime you teach someone a skill or share your knowledge with them, it makes a difference. The ability to teach others is a talent that we all do not have- so to those who have this talent and use it to shape the lives and livelihood of our children, thank you.