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We are excited about the reopening of The Power of Children®: Making a Difference with the addition of a fourth child—Malala Yousafzai. In recognition of her powerful story, we’re challenging you to follow her example and make a difference in your home, your neighborhood, and around the world by standing up for education. When we stand together, we make WAVEs that will have a lasting impact.
Malala’s story
Malala Yousafzai grew up knowing how important it is for children to have access to education—especially girls. Unfortunately, she lived in a region of the world that had been overtaken by people who thought girls should not go to school. They shut down all of the schools for girls and even went so far as banning girls from receiving any type of formal education.
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This didn’t stop Malala. She continued to speak out for girls’ right to an education. Some people did bad things to try to stop her. But Malala did not stop. She continued to stand up for education and the empowerment of girls around the world.
You can follow Malala’s example and stand up for education in your community and around the world. Our Early Childhood Educator team has come up with some great ways you can stand up for education as a family. Let’s start making WAVEs to make a difference in our world.
Become a mentor or tutor
Support education by helping others see the joy in learning! Pick a topic you enjoy and share your expertise with others. You can tutor younger students in math, language arts, or science. Or, introduce your friends to a new language in which you are fluent. Teach them about other cultures and traditions from around the world. The topics are endless.
Work with refugees
Relocating to a new community and a new school can be difficult for anyone. This can especially be true with refugee families. Find a local refugee relief organization and find out what kind of education-related support you can provide to new families in your community.
Partner with a school
Locally
Find out what needs they have and create a backpack drive to provide school materials or books for their students. Consider expanding your reach and include a family shelter in the area.
Globally
Your family or school can connect with another school in a different country. Become pen pals or see if you can video chat with a classroom of the same age. Learn about their curriculum, students, and community. Find ways that you can support one another while learning alongside each other.
Host a fundraiser
Ask your local school leadership how you can best support them and then create an event to raise money and awareness to support their efforts. A few ideas could include: a bake sale, theater production, or a live auction. You could also create a GoFundMe account for your local teachers. Ask your teachers and school what materials and supplies they are in need of and create an account for them. Share the account with your friends and neighbors and tell them how their donations will help teachers have supplies and resources which will greatly impact the educational opportunities and classroom experiences children will have.
Consider searching for a school in a different local community that is in more need of support and stand up for them.
Write a letter
Write a letter to someone who has impacted your educational journey. Let them know how appreciative you are for them and all the ways they have supported and encouraged you.
If your school has a community publication like a newsletter or yearbook, ask if your letter could be featured for others to read so you can inspire them to write their own letters!
Making WAVEs can change the world
Anne reminds us to use our words. Ruby challenges us to take action. Ryan urges us to raise our voice. And Malala's example empowers us to stand for education. They remind us that one child doing something right can make a difference, because ordinary children can—and do—change the world.
You can go deeper into their stories by visiting their exhibit, The Power of Children: Making a Difference® once it reopens Sept. 18, 2021. Entrance to the exhibit is included with museum admission. You don't want to miss this powerful exhibit.
