Why Oaktree?

Across the world, millions of people are living with disease and poverty. The scale of these problems is staggering. The UN estimates that 1.4 billion people worldwide live in extreme poverty. As of 2007, 33 million were living with HIV, the vast majority of them in sub-Saharan Africa. 38 million children in this region don’t receive primary education.

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted to date by 192 UN member states, were created as a pathway to tackling the most extreme problems of poverty, diease, and inequality facing the world today. Since they were established, progress has been made. Almost 70% of primary school-age children in sub-Saharan Africa attend school, up from only 50% in 2000. The general prevalence of AIDS in the region has fallen slightly. But progress is not being made fast enough. We risk failing to live up to our promises.

Our generation is the first in history that has the ability to bring an end to extreme poverty. Oaktree UK believes that the best guarantee of success is the commitment and vision of young people across the world.

63% of the people in sub-Saharan Africa are under 26. Given the right opportunities and the right knowledge, this young generation can achieve great things. Oaktree UK’s investment in education gives youth a way to take control of the problems their communities face.

Education is the key to giving young people the chance to make a difference. Education can slow the spread of HIV, spark economic development, and reduce poverty. What’s more, these gains are self-sustaining. Young people can pass the knowledge on to their friends, families, and communities, who can in turn spread the word.

Education can give young people the chance to combat the most serious problems facing the world today. Oaktree UK aims to give them this vision.