Why We Fund Education

At Markore, we believe legacy means more than the leather goods we craft, it’s the lives we uplift. Education isn’t just a right; it’s an engine for empowerment. That’s why each Markore purchase funds school fees, supplies, and safe-classroom access through trusted partners in Pakistan.

Pakistan is in the midst of a deep education crisis. According to UNICEF, around 22.8 million children aged 5–16 are out of school, that’s 44% of school‑aged youth. Girls, who represent over half of out‑of‑school kids, face even greater barriers. Women’s literacy remains below 30% in many regions, and secondary schooling is often unavailable to girls in rural areas. Recent research puts the number of girls not attending school at nearly 13.7 million.

Markore steps into this gap. We’ve chosen to support reputable NGOs and grassroots initiatives like the Malala Fund and The Citizens Foundation (TCF), which operates 2,000+ school units across Pakistan, educating over 300,000 children, nearly half of them girls.

In addition to schools for children, TCF has an initiative named Aagahi, which is an adult literacy program launched in 2005 as a community development effort to teach reading, writing, and basic math to women from rural areas and urban slums near TCF schools. In 2017, Aagahi was awarded the prestigious UNESCO Confucius Prize for Literacy, recognizing its impact in empowering women through education. In Urdu, the word Aagahi stands for “awareness.”

How Your Purchase Makes an Impact

⦿ €4 funds one child’s entire week of education, covering tuition, supplies, and uniforms.

⦿ A €50 watch strap delivers one full week of school to a child who would otherwise go without.

⦿ Higher‑priced pieces fund multiple weeks, a €150 product could mean 4 weeks or more of education.

This model is transparent, sustainable, and deeply personal. Every progress bar and impact label on our product pages reflects real, verifiable support.

Why Focus on Girls?

Girls’ education is transformative. When girls go to school, communities prosper. Literacy rises, maternal and child health improves, and economies grow. NGOs like TCF have achieved nearly 50% female enrollment by hiring local female teachers and mobilizing communities around girls’ impact.

Our support strengthens this structure. We fund teacher training, reading programs, and safe classrooms, similar to what the International Rescue Committee’s literacy projects cost (~€40 per student per year).

Authenticity Matters

⦿ No middlemen: €4 donation per product is fixed and transparent.

⦿ Long‑term partnerships: We work with trusted NGOs that share measurable outcomes.

⦿ Customer empowerment: You see how many weeks of education you’ve helped fund.

Real-World Momentum

Pakistan has declared an education emergency to address this crisis. Recent legislation banning child marriage and linking early marriage to school dropout shows a shift toward access for girls. By backing girls’ education through your purchase, you’re not just buying a bag, you’re investing in the future of a child, a classroom, a community.

Markore products are built to last decades. Likewise, your support builds for a lifetime. Education is legacy — and you’re choosing to be part of it.