Education & Schools

Kids in Need of Desks (K.I.N.D.)

On 6 May, four boys work at a shared desk meant for two students, in an overcrowded classroom in Dixin Centre 2 Primary School in Conakry, the capital of Guinea.
Guinea
UNICEF/NYHQ2010-0828/OLIVIER ASSELIN

A Simple Desk Can Make All the Difference 

Every day, millions of children across Africa struggle to learn while sitting on the floor or on the ground. Giving them a desk, where they can write and learn, is the first step toward keeping eager young students in school.

In Malawi, 70 percent of students do not have a desk or chair. The Kids in Need of Desks (K.I.N.D.) campaign, launched by the UNICEF USA and MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell, aims to change that by delivering desks to hundreds of schools. K.I.N.D. also provides secondary school scholarships to Malawian girls most in danger of missing out on an education.

Donate a Desk

A gift of $55 will buy a desk and bench for two to three students in Malawi.

A gift of $110 will buy two desks and two benches for four to six students.

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Fast Fact
450
thousand
UNICEF's Kids In Need of Desks (K.I.N.D.) has brought desks to more than 450,000 children in Malawi
20
%
In Malawi, only 20% of girls complete their educations — cost is a major factor.
$
55
A locally-made desk and bench for two to three students costs just $55.
$
177
Just $177 provides a year of education to a girl in Malawi.
The K.I.N.D. Story
Learn more about this campaign and how it is already helping students.
Watch the video
Chinu Rajbongshi 11, writing a poem on the board. Kusura Govt. Primary School, Kalampur, Bangladesh. Nov. 19 2008
Give a Scholarship
Just $177 pays to educate a girl for one year, covering tuition, room and board, a school uniform, textbooks and transportation.
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Equity in Education
Equity in Education
UNICEF aims to reach the poorest and most vulnerable children and youth to give them educational opportunities to lead better lives.
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K.I.N.D. on MSNBC
K.I.N.D. on MSNBC
Learn more about K.I.N.D. on MSNBC's "The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell."
Schools for Africa
Schools for Africa
This initiative promotes education for all, with a special emphasis on vulnerable children.