Rhoades School’s Girl Rising bazaar supports girls education worldwide

May 11, 2026 - 04:00

The Girl Rising Club at Encinitas' Rhoades School held a cultural bazaar on April 24, turning a school event into a fundraiser for young girls' education in Guatemala and Bangladesh. Middle school students ran the entire event, selling handmade crafts, jewelry, food, and baked goods to raise money for the cause.

The bazaar aimed to address barriers that keep girls out of school in developing countries, including poverty, early marriage, and lack of resources. Club members spent weeks preparing, learning about the specific challenges girls face in those regions and creating items to sell. Proceeds will go toward scholarships, school supplies, and community programs that support girls' access to education.

Organizers emphasized that the project was student-led, with participants choosing the countries and planning the sales themselves. Teachers provided guidance, but the students handled everything from pricing to promotion. The event also included cultural displays and information booths to educate attendees about the importance of girls' education worldwide.

The Rhoades School has a history of student activism, and the Girl Rising Club continues that tradition by turning awareness into action. The bazaar raised several hundred dollars, which will be sent to partner organizations working on the ground in Guatemala and Bangladesh. For the students involved, the project was a lesson in global citizenship and the power of small efforts to create change.