Updated 15 May 2013

There are currently over 7 billion people living on Earth, and the world illiteracy rate is just shy of 900 million people. The sad reality is that amongst these are many thousands Shia Ithna-Asheri children that have no hope of ever getting a chance to educate themselves or escape poverty. It is only through the provision of education that we can collectively give them the opportunity and conquer other challenges.

ZCSS (Zainabiya Child Sponsorship Scheme) is an initiative of The World Federation started by marhum Mulla Asghar and has been running for over 30 years. This sponsorship scheme supports young students in less advantaged Shia populated areas of the world in order for them to complete their education. ZCSS supports a range of students from Primary to Further Education.  The scheme started with a humble few students and over the years has supported over 25,000 students, many of whom have attained reasonable success in changing their lives and their communities

The World Federation’s education objective is to empower communities with the ability to become self-sufficient. The most efficient method of reducing illiteracy is through education. We aim to enable growth and progress through this most powerful of medium. This will create a generation of skilled individuals who will work together to lift their communities out of poverty. Unlocking the potential of just one educated person has a great multiplier effect; these benefits far outweigh the monetary cost of that education.

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