The mission of Deep Roots is to provide scholarships to deserving youth in developing countries. Deep Roots works to increase access to education, especially for young women, inspired by the belief that education is a human right.

In 1998, Deep Roots planted its first seeds of hope by giving scholarships to ten deserving Namibian students. By today, DR has empowered hundreds of Namibian, Zambian, Guatemalan, and Nepalese students to pursue their dreams of an education. Read more...

The idea behind Deep Roots is simple: Many talented children in developing countries do not have access to an education simply because they lack the money for school fees and supplies. Many generous people around the world would like to help. Deep Roots provides a cost-effective way to get the money to where it is needed.

Deep Roots has no office or paid staff, relying instead on the internet as its virtual address and a group of over 40 dedicated and experienced volunteers. Some Deep Roots volunteers spent time working in Deep Roots countries. Others are professionals who care about education worldwide.

In each country of operation, DR is collaborating with an implementing partner - an organization with existing infrastructure - who has agreed to carry out the work on the ground (from the collection of students' applications to the record-keeping, payment of school fees and distribution of other supplies) under DR supervision.

The scholarship programs are tailored to the situation in each country, with some common threads:

• Selection based on academic promise and financial need
• Emphasis on aiding girls and women, who are traditionally disadvantaged
• Commitment to cover all education-related costs

Namibia
Statistics show employment and earning opportunities increase dramatically for Namibians after completing all twelve grades of school. Deep Roots Namibia helps dedicated students meet the sharp increase in school fees after grade 10, which forces many Namibian students to abandon their education prematurely. US$200 sends a child in rural Namibia to secondary school for two years, covering room, board and exam fees.
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Zambia
The AIDS epidemic has left Zambia with a growing population of orphans. The Deep Roots Zambia program focuses on providing educational opportunities for these children, whose guardians far too often lack the resources to provide both food and schooling for their enlarged family. A donation of US$78 or US$370 enables a Zambian child to complete a year of schooling in basic (grades 8 and 9) or secondary (grades 10 - 12) school, respectively. The program also offers the opportunity to exchange letters and pictures with the sponsored child, building relationships between two worlds.
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Guatemala
Deep Roots Guatemala has partnered with a local non-profit organization in the rural area of Chisec to help the local population, primarily Mayan Q'eqchi, overcome a legacy of illiteracy and consequent marginalization in society. For around US$20, young shoe-shiners and their siblings are enrolled in primary schools. US$120 supports a middle schooler for a year, and US$225 funds a year of high school. In addition to providing money for school fees and supplies, Deep Roots Guatemala also supports monthly workshops to help scholarship recipients make up for past educational deficiencies.
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Nepal
Nepal, the newest Deep Roots country, is one of the poorest nations in the world, facing severe challenges due to unique geographic and social obstacles. An education is one of the best assets. Deep Roots Nepal strives to open the world of education to some of Nepal's gifted and most disadvantaged children. For as little as US$25, a child can be sent to secondary school (grades 6-12) for a year.
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