"As studies show, educational skills can improve over time when interventions start at an early age. I'm happy to be here today with my colleagues from MoneyGram to distribute school supplies and talk about the importance of reading. Through our donation and engagement, we hope to inspire the change that will improve educational opportunities for children across Africa," said Patrick Appiah, MoneyGram's regional head for West Africa.

 

The books are part of a global book distribution grant through First Book, a U.S.-based nonprofit social enterprise focused on equal access to quality education for kids in need. The donation is just one of many educational efforts funded by the MoneyGram Foundation in the region. In 2013, the Foundation awarded a $60,000 grant to Pencils of Promise to support the establishment of an e-reader program in four community schools in Ghana.

 

Since 2013, the Foundation has awarded over $600,000 in grants towards building infrastructure, supporting technology, and promoting literacy in Africa.

#moneygramnews

 

MoneyGram is a global provider of innovative money transfer and payment services and is recognized worldwide as a financial connection to friends and family. Whether online, or through a mobile device, at a kiosk or in a local store, we connect consumers any way that is convenient for them. We also provide bill payment services, issue money orders and process official checks in select markets. More information about MoneyGram International, Inc. is available at moneygram.com.

 

MoneyGram established the MoneyGram Foundation in 2012 to help children around the world gain access to educational facilities and learning resources. Its mission is firmly rooted in the belief that education is at the heart of better economic opportunities, healthier families and individual freedom and empowerment. The MoneyGram Foundation is focused on inspiring minds and improving lives and grants funds to deserving organizations with this mission in mind. To learn more, please visit moneygramfoundation.org or connect with us on Facebook.

 

First Book transforms the lives of children in need. Through a sustainable, market-driven model, First Book is creating equal access to quality education—making everything from brand-new, high-quality books and educational resources, to sports equipment, winter coats, snacks, and more—affordable to its member network of more than 350,000 educators who exclusively serve kids in need. Since 1992, First Book has distributed more than 170 million books and educational resources to programs and schools serving children from low-income families in more than 30 countries. First Book currently reaches an average of 3 million children every year and supports more than one in four of the estimated 1.3 million classrooms and programs serving children in need. With an additional 1,000 educators joining each week, First Book is the largest and fastest-growing network of educators in North America exclusively serving kids in need.