Back to school around the world

 

Around the world, many children have already started school or will soon be making their way back to the classroom. Despite this, millions of children across the world face barriers and challenges when it comes to their education. Through their stories of courage and determination to learn, we know how much they value their education as a necessary tool towards their future.

 

Ousmane

11-year-old Ousmane* lives in the Mopti region of Mali. During a violent conflict in his community, his father was sadly killed. He moved in with his aunt because his mother struggled to cope with raising her children on her own after the loss of her husband.

Ousmane attends a Save the Children-supported school and has thrown himself into his studies. He says, “I have strength, I am brave. No one works harder than me. No one gets ahead of me at school.” Despite experiencing adversity and a tremendous loss, he displays an incredible amount strength and courage.

 

Olesia

The ongoing war in Ukraine forced 10-year-old Olesia* and her family to flee their home. Now they are living in temporary accommodations, where the family has to sleep alongside about 40 other people. Olesia and other children received backpacks filled with school and craft supplies from Save the Children to ensure they could keep learning throughout the crisis. Some of the items included pencils, erasers, coloured markers, sketchbooks, plasticine, books, and an anti-stress ball.  Olesia was excited to receive her backpack and was eager to use the markers and colouring book first.

 

Mary, Rose and Sunday

Being a new mother comes with many challenges. However young mothers in West Nile, Uganda do not let motherhood prevent them from continuing their education. They remain eager to learn and even bring their children to school with them. At two schools in the community of West Nile, there are 30 child mothers and girls who were married and became pregnant during the COVID-19 lockdown period when schools were closed. As soon as schools reopened, these young mothers were determined to get back to learning, and asked for more support for themselves and other mothers to get back to school. Save the Children supports these girls and young women by providing safe spaces for school meals, educational materials, and caregivers to ensure they can continue their education, even with their babies. Watch their story here.

It is unacceptable that any child’s education should be disrupted for long. Yet, sadly, this happens all over the world.  When children living in crisis are asked what they need, time and time again their answers are clear, unambiguous – and surprising. Even when their communities are destroyed in conflict, food is scarce, water is dirty, and medical care non-existent, children tell us they want one thing above all else: the chance to go to school. They know the power education holds over their lives. When faced with extreme adversity, children of all ages see education as the key to their safety, their health, their happiness, and their future.

You can support children around the world with their education by purchasing a Gift of Joy here: Save the Children Canada – Gifts of Joy

*names changed to protect privacy