The First Lady’s Travel Journal: A Journey That Began Decades Ago

[sheshe2]

This post is part of a series authored by First Lady Michelle Obama to share her visit to Japan and Cambodia and the Let Girls Learn initiative with young people in the U.S.

Unfortunately, so many girls just like me and like many of you — girls who are so curious and hungry to learn, and so willing to work hard — never have the chance to get an education. Right now, 62 million girls worldwide are not in school at all. Many of them simply can’t afford the school fees (unlike in America, where every student can go to school for free, in many countries, parents have to pay to send their children to school). Sometimes, even if their parents can afford it, the nearest school might be miles away, and it’s simply not safe for girls to walk there and back each day. Sometimes, a school will be located nearby, but it might not have bathrooms for girls, so they simply can’t attend. And in some countries, girls are forced to get married and have children at a young age — sometimes before they’re even teenagers — instead of getting an education.

This is such a heartbreaking loss, not just for those girls, but for their families, communities and countries. Studies show that girls who attend school have healthier families, earn higher salaries and even help boost their entire countries’ economies.

That’s why, earlier this month, the United States Government launched a new initiative called Let Girls Learn that will help girls worldwide go to school and stay in school. Through Let Girls Learn, we’ll be supporting education projects across the globe — leadership programs and mentorship programs, and so much more.

But the United States can’t address the global girls’ education crisis all by ourselves — it’s just too big. We need countries around the world to step up and help. That’s why I’m starting my trip in Japan — because this week, the United States and Japan will be announcing a new partnership to educate girls worldwide, and we’ll be calling on other countries to join us in this effort.

Read More https://medium.com/@FLOTUS/the-first-lady-s-travel-journal-a-journey-that-began-decades-ago-d8237d74aeef

[brer cat]

1. I didn't know about

the US-Japan initiative on education. A greatly needed impetus to spur education for girls worldwide. I think this is one of the most important issues of our time...educated girls can be lifted from crippling poverty, and they can and will change the world.

Another important OP, sheshe. Thanks.

[mcar]

2. Love FLOTUS

She is a marvelous role model!

[freshwest]

3. That she is!

[Cha]

4. Ah, yes.. wonderful! Michelle is doing so much for Girls' Education World Wide than anyone or

anything could possibly do. Mahalo, she~


First Lady Michelle Obama hugs a U.S. Peace Corp volunteer as she leaves the Sofitel Hotel in Siem Reap, Cambodia

http://theobamadiary.com/2015/03/21/rise-and-shine-the-first-lady-in-cambodia/

[sheshe2]

5. Best First Lady ever.

So vibrant. So aware. So caring.

Love~



http://theobamadiary.com/2015/03/21/rise-and-shine-the-first-lady-in-cambodia/

Thanks Cha.