Social Mission

Education is the basic tool for the development of consciousness and the reconstitution of society. - Mahatma Gandhi

From September 1st 2013 through December 31st 2014, Antonio Verdi will donate 3% of the retail price from each sale of the Antonio Verdi COSIMO product line. The funds raised will support the Girl's Education Program in India established by Room To Read (www.roomtoread.org). Antonio Verdi aims to provide at least 15 one-year scholarships to girls in India by the end of 2014.

Girl in Uttarkhand, India reads in her classroom library (Dana Smillie)

Room to Read established the Girls' Education program in 2000 to motivate, educate and empower girls by providing the support they need to enroll and remain in school. The program identifies girls at risk of dropping out of school and ensures that they have the opportunity to complete secondary school. Currently, the majority of participants are ages 7 to 12. Program accomplishments:

Room to Read's Girls' Education program currently supports more than 8,944 girls on long-term scholarships.
In 2008, 98% of girls in the Girls' Education program advanced to the next grade.
The program operates in eight countries (Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Zambia).

Reference: www.roomtoread.org > Girl's Education Program

Girls' Education program participants in front of 2000th Library, Siem Reap, Cambodia (Dustin Frazier)

Room to Read is a global organization seeking to transform the lives of millions of children in the developing world by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Founded on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children, Room to Read works in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and to ensure girls have the skills and support needed to complete their secondary education. Since 2000, Room to Read has impacted the lives of more than four million children in Asia and Africa and aims to reach 10 million children by 2015. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.

Room to Read does not endorse any brand or product. No portion of the purchase price is tax-deductible.