Your Gift Will Be Matched to Build a Safe School

My daughter Aria turned 15 today. She asked for something simple: to help build a school. Aira has grown up traveling to 20+ countries, seeing the world with curiosity and an open heart. Like me, she calls herself a global citizen. And like me, she believes every child — no matter where they're born and no matter their circumstances — deserves access to a quality education.

So today, on her birthday, she's donating $15. One dollar for every year of her life. She asked me to share her gift with all of you, hoping it sparks something bigger.

I recently joined the board of A Child's Notebook, an organization I believe in deeply. Since 2018, they've worked alongside rural communities in Laos to expand access to education for children who would otherwise have none.

Right now, there's an urgent need.

A rural school in Laos is in critical condition. The principal fears the building is unsafe for students and may not withstand the upcoming rainy season. Without immediate action, children could lose access to a safe place to learn.

Here's what gives me hope: the local community isn't waiting. Families are already showing up — donating gravel, sand, and timber, and contributing daily labor. They are partners in this, not recipients. That's what makes A Child's Notebook different.

We've raised $10,000. We need $10,000 more to complete construction.

But here's the good news: During GiveBIG, every dollar is matched by a generous donor. That means we only need to raise $5,000 to fully fund this school.

In honor of Aira's 15th birthday — and on behalf of every child who deserves a safe place to learn — I'm asking my friends around the world to join us.

$15. $50. $100. Whatever you can give will be doubled and will go directly toward building something lasting.

Will you join me in helping to build a safe, durable school for children in rural Laos?

Thank you for being part of this. 🌏

ABOUT A CHILD'S NOTEBOOK

We are facing a deepening global education crisis. More than 272 million children and youth are out of school, and the world is in the midst of a learning poverty emergency. In low- and middle-income countries, more than half of ten-year-olds cannot read or understand a simple story.

A Child’s Notebook (ACN) is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) organization working to ensure that children in Southeast Asia—especially in Laos—have access to quality education. We believe talent exists in every individual and every community. Yet the opportunity to realize that talent is not equally available. Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to unlock opportunity, break cycles of poverty, reduce inequality, and build a more equitable future.

Since 2018, A Child’s Notebook has supported students facing barriers caused by poverty, geographic isolation, and ethnic marginalization. We intentionally partner with communities that often lack access to funding and are overlooked by larger organizations.

Our work focuses on:

1. Reducing financial barriers by providing scholarships for middle school, high school, and vocational students
2. Improving learning outcomes through after-school programs and essential school supplies
3. Expanding access to safe learning environments by building schools, dormitories, and WASH facilities