History and Accomplishments

Global Education Fund was founded by Eliza Woloson and Todd Woloson in 1998. Woloson, an anthropologist with field experience around the world, began the work that would grow into GEF after witnessing firsthand the barriers that prevent extremely poor children from getting an education. Working in Indonesia, Eliza met children who were unable to attend school for the lack of $15 uniforms. While in China, she noticed her Chinese students come alive when handed a picture book for the first time.

GEF first began its work in response to a request from orphanages in Nicaragua for Spanish books. Eliza, who was then working in the book industry, was able to acquire Spanish books from publishers and ship them to Nicaragua, thanks to the generosity of family and friends. When Eliza visited Nicaragua herself, it was clear that the books had made a major impact. One boy told her, “books allow me to fly away to other places.” Eliza returned home to several new requests for books and literacy support from schools and orphanages who had heard about what she had done.

While the breadth and scope of work of GEF’s work has grown, the hallmarks of the organization’s work have remained consistent: a grassroots approach that is based on listening to local needs, strong partnerships with community leaders on the ground, a vibrant network of global volunteers and generous donors. GEF’s work continues to be guided by these principles.

To date GEF has:

• Enabled over 100 students to attend school, who would not otherwise have the opportunity, through our scholarships, and further supported their progress with leadership training, mentoring, and community service experience.
• Established over 70 libraries in orphanage homes, community centers and schools in 22 countries across Latin America, Asia, and Africa.
• Delivered nearly $2 million worth of books for schools and libraries, benefitting thousands of children living in poverty.
• Purchased textbooks and supported teacher and librarian training to improve the quality of education in more than 10 poor community schools.
• Given hundreds of American school children the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of poor children across the world through learning about their lives and responding with innovative fundraising projects, book drives and other community service projects.