For nearly 35 years, buildOn has worked globally to develop programs and build schools, using education as a tool to help end global poverty. Its efforts fuel a broader movement that provides developing countries with the resources to educate their populations properly.

An Overview of buildOn’s Impact

Since 1991, buildOn has been using education to help end global poverty. The organization has constructed more than 2,500 schools throughout its history, impacting more than 346,000 lives.

With the support of global donors, buildOn forms strong partnerships to expand its impact across multiple countries. In 2023, the organization set a new record for the number of schools built worldwide. It extended its literacy programs’ reach in new and existing schools.

Education as a Tool To End Global Poverty

buildOn partners with donors to fight global poverty by building schools in underserved rural communities. Its mission targets regions where access to education remains limited, focusing on countries with the greatest economic need.

Current buildOn school locations include:

• Burkina Faso
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Malawi
• Mali
• Nepal
• Nicaragua
• Senegal

These countries face some of the highest poverty rates globally, with large segments of the population lacking access to quality education. Through its programs, buildOn works to close this gap and create pathways to opportunity for future generations.

Bridging the Education Gap for All Ages

buildOn’s education programs aim to eliminate discrimination in access to education by partnering with rural communities to educate people of all ages, from children to adults and seniors. In Burkina Faso, buildOn’s schools face significant challenges. Many rural areas lack basic infrastructure, forcing students to walk long distances to attend properly built schools in neighboring villages.

To break the cycle of poverty and lack of access to good education, buildOn aims to construct as many fully equipped schools as possible, ensuring each village has proper classrooms in underserved regions. When education becomes accessible to everyone, the chances of lifting communities out of poverty increase significantly. Many children who might otherwise drop out due to distance or poor facilities can now attend school and receive the education they deserve.

buildOn also supports adult learners through re-education programs that equip working adults with essential literacy and numeracy skills to improve their job prospects. In many rural communities, women comprise most adult participants, reflecting buildOn’s focus on empowering women. These programs boost economic opportunities and promote gender equality by giving women a stronger voice in their households and communities.

Final Remarks

Overall, buildOn’s programs aim to end global poverty by eliminating barriers to education through large-scale school development in rural areas. By partnering directly with local communities, buildOn ensures that each school is sustainably built and locally supported. These efforts provide children and adults with lifelong learning opportunities and help communities gain the tools needed to break generational cycles of poverty.

– Angelina Tas

Angelina is based in Cleveland, OH, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr