Everyone who knows the state of Pakistan would agree that, like any other developing country (and even the detached rural masses of some developed countries), literacy and basic education is the key to a strong, societal foundation. DIL - Developments in Literacy Inc. - is doing something about it.
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DIL is a non-profit organization launched in February 1997 in Southern California. DIL currently has offices in Los Angeles, Toronto, and Islamabad and chapter-boards in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington, Houston, San Diego, Toronto, Ottawa and Singapore. Affiliated with DIL Pakistan, the international chapters work relentlessly to promote the cause of literacy and basic education in the remote, rural areas of Pakistan, which are otherwise neglected. |
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The basic premise of DIL is to establish primary and secondary level non-formal schools for underprivileged children in rural, neglected areas of Pakistan. One year of basic education for one child costs $50/-. It takes at least five years, in monetary terms $250/-, to make one child literate. The cost of sponsoring an entire school for one year is $1250/-, and for five years $6250/-
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DIL has some remarkable accomplishments. In the short span of five years, DIL has established 200 schools in collaboration with various NGOs. To ease the mind of skeptical donors, DIL has established a highly transparent project and financial monitoring system. Their audited financial statements are available for public viewing on their website. DIL utilizes an active pool of competent and reliable individuals to monitor the performance of the schools it has established, including the progress made by their students. Financial disbursement to the DIL projects is made on a quarterly basis, and is contingent on satisfactory receipt of the quarterly reports from the NGOs. DIL accounts are audited annually by qualified professionals. All travel costs incurred by the DIL Executive Board are borne fully by the members themselves so that every cent of donors' contribution is spent only on education. |
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How can you help DIL? You can donate funds so DIL can continue maintaining the already established schools into the future, and also to expand its work to provide opportunities for as many underprivileged children as possible. If your company offers a matching donations program, you can check if DIL is on their approved list of charities, or work with your HR department to get it on the approved list, so your donation can be enhanced by your company. There are various options you can choose from:
1. To send a child to school for one year, donate $50
2. To send a child to school for the full five years, donate $250
3. To sponsor a computer lab at the school, donate $1000
4. Make a donation for a different amount of your choice |
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In addition to making direct donations, you can help and have fun! DIL organizes several fundraisers and galas all across the US, around the year. By attending these fundraisers, you'll get to enjoy some choice entertainment, mix with like minded people from all walks of life, and help DIL raise funds to take their cause further.
Visit www.dil.org to see upcoming events; or keep an eye on The Saturday Post's upcoming events section for details. |
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