She works five days a week till 1:00 a.m., and gets up every day at 5:00 a.m. Maria drives hours away from home to work, just so she can afford a basic high school education.

Students like Maria exist all across the world — students who cannot afford a basic high school education. Almost 60 million primary school aged children aren’t in school, according to the United Nations. For many of the poorest families, school remains too expensive and children are forced to stay at home doing chores or work themselves.

The Yuda bands organization hopes to break the cycle of poverty by empowering students through education. Education is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty. Education increases an individual’s income, boosts a community’s economy, empowers women and girls, and reduces violence rates.  

Through the Yuda bands organizations, school all across the nation sell Yuda bands for $7.00 to fundraise a high school scholarship for a student they choose to sponsor.

The Environmental Club is bringing the Yuda bands project to Stroudsburg High School. The Environmental Club is fundraising a full high scholarship for a girl in Zimbabwe. Her name is Progress Manzanga, and her mother struggles to pay the school fees. She would like to further her education to support her mother, and she dreams of becoming doctor.

To support Progress’s dreams, please buy a Yuda band for 7$ on the tables located outside the cafeteria, or look for Environmental Club members that are selling Yuda bands. Sales last from December 6th- 20th.

For more information:

http://www.yudabands.org/