Why a pencil can change a family’s future
For a child in poverty, a school bag is not a small thing. It can be the first page of a completely different story.
September 16, 2026 · Slate Welfare Foundation

Big change is built from small acts, repeated by many people. Here are seven ways to help that fit into a normal, busy life.
A small monthly gift is more powerful than it looks. It lets us plan, and it makes you a steady part of someone’s journey.
An hour a week of tutoring or mentoring can change how a child sees their future. Sign up as a volunteer.
Can you sew, cook, code, design or run a small business? Skills are the most valuable thing you can pass on.
A birthday, a festival, a team lunch or an office collection can raise more than you think. Ask friends to give in place of gifts.
Share our stories on social media. Most people don’t give because they have never been asked, and your recommendation carries weight.
Photographers, writers, lawyers, accountants and web designers can all help a small NGO do more with less.
Ask your workplace, school, temple, church, mosque or residents’ group to support one of our programs.
Ready to start? Donate, volunteer or get in touch.
For a child in poverty, a school bag is not a small thing. It can be the first page of a completely different story.
Give a woman a skill, a little capital and a circle of support, and watch a whole family's future change.
How a small circle of friends turned a tragedy into a relief drive, and why that was only the beginning.
You don't need deep pockets to make a difference. Here are seven simple ways to help change someone's story.