“If you educate a woman, you educate a family, if you educate a girl, you educate the future.” – Queen Rania of Jordan
The bond between a mother and a child is unique and enduring. Whether a bond of blood or circumstance, this relationship shapes the child’s character. For the mother, it unlocks an amazing power to love unconditionally and nurture wholeheartedly. This relationship shapes the future.
In her blog posts for Global Mom Relay, Queen Rania of Jordan writes, “Motherhood is a metaphor,” a metaphor for the example a woman sets for the next generation. She recounts the life of two women who pursued their dreams, and she is not shy about their challenges. Whether as a teacher at a girls’ school or an entrepreneur and mother of four, they make sacrifices, learn from failures, and challenge conventions to make positive change. Their examples are “building foundations under the dreams of young girls.”
Her post reaffirmed in me the Global Peace Foundation approach to empowering women. GPF uplifts the dignity and value of women and recognizes their crucial role in peace and development. Could it be that it plays out in their role as biologic and metaphoric mothers?
The blog presents a rough map of this process: “[Girls] with dreams become women with vision. Confident women who participate in their communities and countries. Strong women who contribute to their nations’ growth and prosperity. Compassionate women who, as mothers or guardians or leaders, nurture and guide the next generation—boys as well as girls—towards greater equality, justice and prosperity.”
Girls who get to dream and develop their character grow into vision-driven women, mothers and leaders who pass essential values and precious opportunity to the next generation.
In an interview with Oprah, Queen Rania shared her perspective on raising her children, “When we invest in raising our children as global citizens who are educated and exposed to the diverse religions, cultures, and characters of the world, peace is possible.” She is clear that education is more than literacy; it is about cultivating values and dreams.
Yet, there are so many circumstances that thwart a girl’s dream like war and poverty. Education and empowerment are gifts that no one should be denied. No one should be robbed of the opportunity to dream and pursue a life without war and terror.
Instead, opportunity should be generated, particularly for our mothers and girls. It can begin in small ways. Most of us know how resourceful our mothers can be. In her hands, small steps: literacy classes, nutrition, vaccinations, relationships, become life-altering provisions. An investment in our mothers and girls is an investment in the future.
Women and children need to feel safe, valued, and respected for their innate value and contribution. This is the foundation for girls and boys to feel empowered to dream and pursue those dreams as global citizens who will create a world where we know we are all one family under God.
Conclusion
Empowering girls through education, fostering youth vocational skills, and promoting environmental conservation are at the heart of our mission at URUDO-Uganda. We believe that by investing in these areas, we can build stronger, more resilient communities that thrive sustainably. Our efforts have already made a significant impact, but there is still much work to be done.
To continue our mission and expand our reach, we need your support. Your generous donations will directly contribute to the education of vulnerable girls, the development of vocational skills among youth, and the protection and conservation of our environment. By supporting URUDO-Uganda, you are not only empowering individuals but also shaping the future of our communities.
Together, we can create a brighter and more equitable future for all. Please consider making a donation today to help us continue this vital work. Thank you for your support.
