Confidence is instrumental to those climbing out of poverty. Ann Cotton climbconfidenceinstrumental Change image and share on social
You can't raise the aspirations of a child and then leave them hanging. Poverty can't be solved by a project. It's solved by a relationship, collaboration. Ann Cotton aspirationchildcollaboration Change image and share on social
Key to success for the education of young African girls is building a model that works with communities, schools, and national Ministries of Education to build a system of protection and support around girls, ensuring that they receive the education that is their right. Financial support is provided alongside a social support system. Ann Cotton africanalongsidebuild share on social
All children everywhere deserve the opportunity that is unlocked for them by education. Ann Cotton childdeserveeducation Change image and share on social
There are 45 million children in Africa who are not in school. While other children are learning, exploring, and growing in the myriad ways that children were meant to grow, these children are trapped in a life of constant struggle. Without education, how can they be expected to escape such struggle? How can their children? Ann Cotton africachildconstant share on social
The prevailing view was that girls were outside of school because of the resistance of families to their education. But when I visited a local village, what everyone told me - the chiefs, the parents, the children - was that girls weren't in school because it was the boys that had a better chance of getting paid work in the future. Ann Cotton boychancechief share on social
The aim of militants such as Boko Haram, whose very name means 'Western education is a sin,' is to sow hatred and enmity between Muslim and Christian communities, which have co-existed largely peacefully for generations. Education, in particular the education of women, is a threat to Boko Haram's goals. Ann Cotton aimbokochristian share on social
The exclusion of girls from education is an issue of justice. But it's also an issue of economics because it's holding families, communities, and nations back. The chiefs are often a bridge between the traditional and the modern world and are very powerful implements to change. Ann Cotton backbridgechange share on social
All countries have poor people. Yet it's a very rare country which understands the indignities of poverty, while education systems maintain the status quo. The children of the elite go to the best schools and get the best jobs, not because they are the best. We're not taking advantage of the intellectual power on this planet. Ann Cotton advantagechildcountry share on social
You need to listen to the people experiencing the problems, and their ideas need to crowd out the words of the 'can't be done-ers.' Ann Cotton crowdexperienceidea Change image and share on social