Girl Rising Page #7

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because we are silenced,

disenfranchised, beaten, cut,

married as children, sold, raped.

When we seek freedom we are burned.

When we speak the truth we are stoned.

When we go to school we are

bombed, poisoned, shot.

Don't tell me it's simply

has always been so.

I don't believe in your resignation.

I refused the ignorance long ago.

Don't tell me you're on my side.

Your silence has already spoken for you.

Don't tell me the blame lies in my

religion, in my culture, in my traditions.

I have not forgotten my vow.

Change is coming.

I will read, I will learn,

I will study.

I will return to school.

I dare you to tell me

it's a waste of time.

If you try to stop me

I will just try harder.

Put me in a pit, I will climb out.

If you kill me there will be other

girls who rise up and take my place.

I will find a way to endure,

to prevail.

The future of men lies in me.

And this is the future I see.

I am the beginning of a

different story in Afghanistan.

And when my grandaughter

explains how I withstood

the odds against me,

it will become legend.

Oh yes, perhaps it will

only be whispered at first

but just you watch.

It will grow into a roar.

An inexhaustible voice that will

usher in a brighter future.

Do you doubt me?

Do you underestimate my will?

Look into my eyes.

Do you see it now?

I am change.

Amina joins millions of

girls in Afghanistan

who have returned to school

there in spite of the dangers.

Thanks to a new generation

of leaders, men and women,

there are more girls in school

in Afghanistan now

than at any time in its history.

Because she refused to give up.

Just like Suma.

Wadley.

Like Senna.

And Azmera.

Like girls everywhere.

There are more stories.

There are more facts and figures.

But the simplest is the most important:

Educating girls works.

While making this film we met

hundreds of girls all over the world.

Our partners in this journey

were organizations

large and small, filled

with extraordinary people

who spend every day helping girls,

trying to fill the gaps between what

girls have and what girls need.

Each day they see what

you've just seen:

girls with fortitude and courage,

spirit and drive.

Girls succeeding against the odds.

Girls are rising.

But there are millions

who still need your help.

So what can you do?

As an individual you have enormous power.

Change can spread like wild fire

when minds are moved to make it so.

Right now help the next generation

of women grow up strong

and sure, aware of their rights.

You can make a difference by giving

just one girl renewed faith in herself.

And if you're able the girls of the

world need as much financial support

as you can give.

Yes, they need money.

Any donation however small

will change a young life.

This is for sure.

The 10x10 funds for girls' education

supports the organizations

that support girls,

including our partners

in making Girl rising.

By contributing to 10x10

you send a powerful message

that you strongly believe

that we all strongly believe

that girls are worth the investment.

Please, join us.

title by allynat23

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