Free The Children
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Free The Children is the world's largest network of children helping children through education. Founded in 1995 by international child rights advocate Craig Kielburger, it has built more than 450 schools in 16 developing countries, providing a daily education for more than 40,000 children. The organization also provides alternative income projects as well as school and health kits to people in need. It has sent more than $12 million in health supplies to the developing world.
Unlike any other children's charity in the world, Free The Children is driven and funded by young people. Its goal is to encourage youth to make a difference and to dispel the myth that young people are powerless. More than one million children have been empowered by its education and development campaigns. It also has an extensive roster of speakers who travel the world motivating schools, faith groups, businesses and community organizations to make positive social change. 65% of all donations to Free The Children come from youth.
The organization has an extraordinary track record of success, with three Nobel Peace Prize nominations and partnerships with the United Nations, National Bank Financial and Oprah’s Angel Network.
Craig and his brother Marc are also co-authors of the bestselling books Take Action! A Guide to Active Citizenship and Take More Action, as well as of Me to We: Finding Meaning in a Material World. They are regular columnists in the Toronto Star and Canadian Living magazine.
Free The Children is part of the Kiel Network, a trio of worldwide organizations that also includes Leaders Today and Me to We.