Disease

For the one billion people in the world who do not have access to health care, something as simple as the flu can be life-threatening. Illnesses caused by malnutrition, infections and unclean environments result in many children missing school and being unable to do the chores that their families rely on.

To be free from disease means that children are healthy: healthy enough to go to school and learn; healthy enough to help their brothers and sisters; healthy enough to lay the foundations for a better life. The health pillar of Adopt a Village combats diseases and illnesses that keep children out of school, while also promoting the health of the whole community. Adopt a Village health projects stop disease from controlling the lives of children so that they are the ones in control.

Exploitation

Where there is exploitation, there is the abuse of power. There is one person taking advantage of another. There is one group forcing others to do what it demands – demands that are often harmful and violate the human rights of those being exploited. Child labour is exactly this, and today 215 million children are enduring this kind of exploitation.

Every pillar of Free The Children's development model, Adopt a Village, aims to free children from exploitation – but especially the pillar of education. Building classrooms, providing supplies, and supporting teachers make it possible for young people to break free from exploitation and enjoy their human rights.

Thirst

Worldwide, over one billion people lack access to safe drinking water, which causes millions of people to get sick every year. Infections spread by dirty water take the lives of two million children every year.

The clean water and sanitation pillar of Adopt a Village builds wells, rain catchment systems and hand-washing stations to bring safe water to the homes of those who need it most. Freedom from thirst means access to clean water. Clean, accessible water not only stops the spread of disease but also gives girls the chance to go to school. Access to safe drinking water quenches families' thirst for water and thirst for knowledge.

Poverty

Three billion people live on less than $2 a day: a shocking statistic that only scratches the surface of what poverty is. Having barely enough money to survive from day to day robs people from the freedom to decide how to live their lives. For some families, it means that instead of going to school, children have to work to support their family.

The alternative income pillar of Adopt a Village empowers mothers with the skills and training they need to generate a sustainable source of income. In almost every community worldwide, women are the ones who look after children, make sure they go school and help them do their homework. When they're free from poverty, mothers can give their children the opportunities they deserve.

Free To Act

Having the freedom to act means not just that you have the ability to do something–almost everyone, free or not so free, can do something. More importantly, being free to act means that you have the power to decide how and why you take action. You are in control of the impact you have on your community and your world. You can take actions that help a child get an education or help stop climate change, that inspire others or bring a little more beauty into the world. It's up to you.

Knowing you have this freedom is one of the most empowering things you can learn because it means that there's nothing standing between you and taking action to make a positive difference in the world.

You are free to act. So take a deep breath and dive in.