This week, remember the children who cannot go back to school - #putchildrenfirst

In the middle of the hustle and bustle of back-to-school and the excitement of new classes, new clubs and new friends, we sometimes forget that there are still millions of children without the opportunity to attend school.

To some children, this is an opportunity taken for granted, but for every child it is an opportunity can determine the rest of their life. Education provides the tools and knowledge to develop skills and interests, the encouragement to pursue and realize one’s dreams. For the 57 million young children in the world who do not go to school, life is very different.

A major issue around education is the lack of opportunity for women and girls, who are often held back from attending school because their parents need them to help out at home, cannot afford fees and books, or do not understand the importance of education. Evidence shows that when we provide young women with an opportunity to learn, we empower them to change their lives and their communities for the better.

Imagine the millions of children currently deprived of an education and what each of them could contribute to the world: a cure for cancer, a new technology, leadership that transforms the world. As we go forward with this week of the Put Children First campaign, keep an open mind and imagine how the world could be if all children had an education.

For more of our Put Children First campaign, please follow our Twitter and Facebook. Keep others in the loop by using the hashtag #putchildrenfirst!

Canadian's wishing to support SOS Children's Villages are encouraged to sponsor a child, sponsor a village or to make a direct donation. Your support ensures that SOS Children's Villages can continue to provide a safe and loving home to orphan and abandoned children worldwide.