At the Bridge of Hope Foundation, we believe every child—regardless of their background, gender, or ability—deserves the chance to go to school, to learn, and to build a future filled with opportunity. For children from marginalised communities in developing countries, especially those with disabilities, education is more than a basic right. It’s a bridge to safety, dignity, and independence.

But right now, that bridge is out of reach for far too many.

The Hidden Barriers Keeping Children Out of School

Worldwide, over 258 million children and youth are out of school. In the rural areas we work in, the obstacles are deeply entrenched—and often invisible to those looking in from the outside.

One of the most overlooked barriers? Lack of access to clean water.

In many communities, children—especially girls—spend up to six hours a day walking to collect water. This daily chore takes precedence over schooling. Add to that the hours spent gathering firewood or doing manual labour to support their families, and there’s little time or energy left for learning.

And for children living with disabilities, the barriers multiply. From stigma to lack of accessible classrooms or transportation, these children are often left behind entirely.

When Education is Not a Right

There’s another tragic consequence of being out of school – vulnerability to exploitation.

When children are denied education, they are more likely to end up in abusive situations. UNICEF reports that 1 in 4 girls in developing countries is married before the age of 18. Many are forced into exploitative relationships just to afford school fees or basic survival needs.

We’ve seen this first-hand: children choosing between food and books, safety and school. These are choices no child should ever be forced to make.

Real Change Is Possible

Despite the challenges, we know change is possible – because we’ve seen it.

When we install water access points in rural villages, girls return to school. When we help families of children with disabilities access inclusive education and support, school attendance improves dramatically. When we provide basic school materials, children who once stood outside the classroom are finally able to walk through the door.

But the truth is: we need to scale up.

Right now, we’re only reaching a fraction of the children who need us. For every child we help, hundreds more are still waiting – waiting for clean water, waiting for school fees, waiting for someone to believe in their right to learn.

Here’s How You Can Help

We’re calling on our supporters, donors, and community to help us expand our reach. Your contribution can directly change lives:

• £20 can provide a child with school materials for a year.
• £100 can help bring clean water closer to home, reducing time spent collecting it.
• £500 can support a child with disabilities—ensuring they have the tools, transport, and support they need to thrive in school.

No amount is too small when it’s used to unlock a child’s future.

Be Part of the Bridge

Education is not a luxury—it’s a lifeline. With your support, we can build stronger, wider bridges to reach more children in more communities. Let’s not allow poverty, disability,3or geography to define a child’s destiny.

Join us in saying yes – to opportunity, to justice, and to every child’s right to learn.

Donate now or get involved and be part of this change.

Together, we can transform hope into action – child by child, future by future.