Dear Friend,

Warmest greetings! It has been an incredibly busy few months at CAUSE Canada, and I hope you have had a bit more rest than we have.

I am thrilled to share some exciting news. In February, we signed a new agreement with Global Affairs Canada to launch a project in Sierra Leone aimed at ending child marriage. The timing could not have been better. Although a new bill outlawing child marriage was passed last year, traditional law still holds more sway than formal law in many communities. Because CAUSE Canada Sierra Leone is deeply rooted in local development, we are uniquely positioned to support community leaders in transforming these traditional norms. I hope you will consider joining us to support the end of this devastating practice on young women.

Also in February, two new partners approached us to leverage our local expertise for educational programming. Over the next three years, we will be partnering with Change for Children and Global Affairs Canada on a project to support Indigenous and Garifuna teachers and students in Honduras. Additionally, the World Bank has invited CAUSE Canada to share our technical knowledge in developing early education centres in rural areas. It is incredibly rewarding to see our team’s experience being used to build sustainable systems that will outlast any single project.

Your partnership makes all this possible. Because of your generosity, we are not just responding to poverty—we are building long-term solutions that promote equity, dignity, and opportunity for those who are too often left behind. Together, we are creating lasting change, and I am deeply grateful for your support.

With gratitude,

María* is a general physician, wife, and mother living in San Marcos, Santa Bárbara—one of the regions in Honduras most affected by gender-based violence. Despite her medical training, Maria often felt powerless when faced with cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in her clinic. Fear for her own safety and a lack of resources left her feeling unable to protect the women she served.

That changed when Maria participated in training led by the CAUSE Honduras team. The sessions deepened her understanding of the realities survivors face and helped her reflect on missed opportunities to offer support. Most importantly, the training gave her the confidence and tools to take action.

Today, Maria is transforming her health unit. She is encouraging her colleagues to improve their response to survivors, ensuring access to psychosocial support and proper referral systems. She now educates women about their rights, offers personalized counseling, and works with local authorities to strengthen protection measures. Her leadership is fostering a culture of awareness and care—one where survivors are no longer invisible.

In 2016, women in our health programs told us that to reduce maternal mortality, we needed to address SGBV through stronger healthcare systems. Thanks to your support, 106 health professionals in Honduras have now been trained to respond more effectively to SGBV—and they’re passing on their knowledge to peers. Together, they’re working with municipal councils in Macuelizo, Azacualpa, San Marcos, and Quimistan to build safer, more supportive communities.

Your support is helping women like Maria become agents of change. Thank you for standing with us to protect and empower women in Honduras.

*Name has been changed

Sometimes, the numbers tell a powerful story. In 1981, 44% of the world’s population lived in extreme poverty. By 2019, that number had dropped to just 9%. That’s nearly 1.3 billion people who have moved out of extreme poverty in less than four decades.

But what does this global progress look like on the ground—and how is CAUSE Canada contributing?

In Sierra Leone, the 2021 School Census revealed encouraging trends. Between 2018 and 2021, the number of schools increased by 13%. Even more significantly, the number of schools receiving government support rose by 56%. During the same period, primary school attendance jumped by nearly 30%. While challenges remain—such as the shortage of trained teachers—these numbers reflect real, measurable progress.

Education is one of the most powerful tools for breaking the cycle of poverty. It equips individuals with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to build better futures for themselves and their communities.

At CAUSE Canada, we know that change does not happen overnight. Dedicated to education in Sierra Leone, CAUSE Canada has been an active partner building schools, helping children and adolescents go to school, and improving the quality of education. Thousands of children are going to school this year because of CAUSE Canada and because of you.

Thank you for believing in long-term solutions. Your support is helping to rewrite the story of poverty in Sierra Leone—one student, one school, one community at a time.

In Comitancillo, a rural Indigenous municipality in Guatemala, women have long been excluded from community decision-making. In a region where poverty is widespread, empowering women to participate in leadership is essential to addressing the needs of families and building stronger communities.

Over the past six months, 13-year-old Elena* began attending CAUSE Guatemala training sessions with her mother. At first, she was quiet and disengaged. But as the sessions continued, something shifted. Elena began to participate—asking questions, sharing ideas, and discovering a new sense of confidence.

Before the training, Elena had never heard that, as an Indigenous girl, she had the right to be involved in the governance of her community. She was surprised—and inspired—to learn that women’s voices matter. In her community, traditional roles often confine women to household duties, and female leadership is rare. But now, Elena dreams of continuing her education and becoming a voice for change.

In Comitancillo, women are often appointed to local leadership roles in name only—frequently replaced by their husbands once selected. As a result, women make up less than 13% of the municipal decision-making body. This lack of representation means that the needs of women and families often go unheard.

Thanks to your support, girls like Elena are discovering their rights and finding their voices. You are helping to build a future where Indigenous women are not only heard—but are leading the way.

*Name has been changed

Eleven years ago, the Ebola outbreak devastated communities across Sierra Leone. While the crisis may feel like a distant memory to some, its impact continues—especially for children who lost their parents.

Kaday* is one of those children. After losing both parents, she went to live with her uncle and his family. When she turned 15, her uncle arranged for her to be married.

But Kaday’s story did not end there.

Mr. Kamara, Kaday’s teacher at the community primary school, had been trained through CAUSE Canada’s initiative to end child marriage. When he heard about the planned marriage, he acted quickly. He met with the town chief and other community leaders—also trained through our program—and together, they intervened.

Kaday’s uncle was summoned and asked to explain his decision. After hearing from the chief and stakeholders, he agreed to cancel the marriage and allow Kaday to continue her education.

At a community advocacy meeting shortly afterward, Kaday’s uncle stood up and shared his story. He admitted he had not understood the consequences of early marriage and pledged to support Kaday’s education and protect her future.

This is the power of community-led change.

Thanks to your support, CAUSE Canada is expanding its work to end child marriage in Sierra Leone. We are training teachers, engaging traditional leaders, and empowering families to protect girls like Kaday.

Your generosity is helping girls stay in school, avoid early marriage, and build brighter futures. Will you continue to stand with us to EmpowerHER?

*Name has been changed

This Mother’s Day marked the 5th year of the CAUSE Care Package Project—a celebration of motherhood and a powerful way to give back. Each beautifully curated package featured products from 7 inspiring, women-led Canadian small businesses.

Every package purchased helped a woman in Sierra Leone start a small business and support children in her community to go to school. Proceeds directly supported rural Mothers’ Clubs, providing women with the tools they need to lift their families out of extreme poverty.

We’re deeply grateful to our small business partners, volunteers, and every supporter who purchased or donated a care package this year. Together, you’re helping moms around the world build brighter futures for their families.