Good afternoon, It’s the Mocha Club interns. Today is World Teachers’ Day, and with numerous projects supporting education in Africa, it’s an important awareness event for the Mocha Club team. Every year on October 5, people around the globe celebrate World Teachers’ Day by honoring teachers in their community. Started by Education International and UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization), World Teachers Day began in 1994 as an opportunity to recognize the importance of educators and to promote international standards for the teaching profession as a whole.

Every year, World Teachers’ Day focuses on a different theme. This year’s theme is teachers for gender equality. While many women are teachers, there are few women holding managerial positions in schools. At the same time, there is a large shortage of male teachers, and overall, there is a declining status of the teaching profession as a whole. This gender inequality in the teaching field has also led to gender stereotypes within the learning curricula. Because of all of these issues, Education International and UNESCO have felt the need to draw attention to it through World Teachers’ Day.

One of the ways that Education International and UNESCO are hoping to resolve these gender inequality issues is through teacher training programs that address gender stereotype issues. While implementing such programs in educations systems worldwide cannot happen overnight, there are many ways you can raise awareness today. Universities and schools around the world celebrate World Teachers’ Day, so make sure to join in on the celebration at your school! Take a few moments to thank your teachers, whether it be in a card or in person. Head to your blog and write about the difference that your teachers have made in your life. Teachers play such a vital role in our development, and today is the perfect day to show your thanks.

While many of us have had the wonderful opportunity to receive a quality education and have been able to continue to learn at universities worldwide, don’t forget that many children are deprived of this experience that we consider a normal part of life. Injustices and poverty prevent schools from even existing in many countries, and with today’s focus on honoring teachers and the education they provide, there’s no better way to help than by joining the Mocha Club Education project.  Help us build schools and eradicate the lack of education in Africa. You’ll not only help us provide teaching positions for many men and women, but more importantly, you’ll help us provide an education to children who deserve the right to choose their path in life.