Empowerment is the “process by which individuals and groups gain power, access to resources and control over their own lives”. Without a doubt, education is the cornerstone to empowering individuals both young and old, alike.

Education opens doors to the job market, combats inequality, improves maternal health, reduces child mortality, fosters solidarity, and promotes environmental stewardship. Furthermore, it empowers people with the knowledge, skills and values they need to build a better world.

Currently, BMF is operating several schools across West Africa and in Rohingya camps in Bangladesh. BMF believes education is particularly important in our globalized community because it requires our coordinated efforts to safeguard human dignity, and promote communities in which individuals are not marginalized, and empowered to live to their fullest potential. Madge Thomas once stated that “A quality education can be a great enabler with the capacity to empower and create opportunity… Equally, a lack of education can disempower those who need an opportunity the most and can lead to extreme poverty for generations”

The belief that quality education can help reduce poverty and inequality comes from recognizing education as a basic human right, just as food and shelter, and a vital aspect to protecting human dignity.