A man was walking along a sandy beach when one day after a storm he noticed a young girl who was gently throwing starfish into the ocean.  After watching her for awhile, he asked, “Why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?”  She responded, “the sun is up and the tide is going out, and if I do not throw them in they will die,”  The man looked up and down the beach at the thousands of starfish laying about.  The man then said, “ but can’t you see, don’t you realize, there are miles of beach covered with starfish? You can’t possibly make a difference!” The girl listened, then bent down, picked up another starfish, threw it in and said, ”it made a difference for that one!”  She picked up another and  repeated, “and it made a difference for that one.”  And she continued, one at a time. After thinking about what she was doing, he became inspired and joined her.

–      Adapted from the story by Loren Eiseley

When we think that in the world there are about 67,000,000 children not in school, how can we possible make a difference? We try to not think about the devestating statistics and instead consider each girl separately, knowing that she is part of a family and a close knot community.  She also has her hopes and dreams and her parents have their dreams. We are certain that we make a amall difference, but for these girls the difference is so important not only now but for their future.  One day these girls can become leaders in their communities.  When women begin to contribute emotionally, intellectually and economically to their community we can begin to hope for world peace and security.  It starts with girls’ education.