Three years ago, the Global Fund was invited to administer the Preston Education Fund for Girls, which gave us the opportunity to significantly increase our giving in this area. Preston grants will strengthen the capacity of local women's groups to challenge the poverty, government apathy, certain religious practices and other obstacles that prevent girls from receiving an adequate education. The Preston Fund shares our strong commitment to strengthening organizations that increase girls' ability to attend primary school, stay in school and achieve good grades. It also supports efforts to improve the overall quality of girls' primary school education. The organizations we fund address a number of the barriers that prevent girls from gaining an education.
Some groups deal with the problems associated with early marriage and early pregnancy.
Others confront poverty or war by offering scholarships and skills training in viable occupations or by building schools in refugee camps.