International Day of Education

Children at Lighthouse School, D R Congo

Access to an education is a right that every child should have. Legally, it is enshrined in article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which calls for free and compulsory elementary education for all. The Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, goes further to stipulate that, states should make higher education universally accessible. Despite this, poverty and instability mean that many children in the communities where we work struggle to remain in school. Less that 40% of girls in Sub-Saharan Africa complete lower-secondary school. These children are missing out on the opportunity to break the cycle of poverty and secure a sustainable income. It is for these children that each year the UN marks International Day of Education on 24^th January, to raise awareness of the importance of ensuring all children have their human rights met.

For orphans and vulnerable children in women-led households, the challenge and necessity of gaining an education is even greater. Without a father, the family often loses its main earner, this leaves children struggling with costs for food, let alone that for uniform and school books. Yet it is only through going to school will the children be able to gain the skills needed to get a higher paid job when they grow up and improve the prospects of their entire family. Educational support for these children is therefore vital in ensuring they reach their full life potential.

Offering support to orphans and children in women-led households is the reason that ACT exists. Over 25 years, we have improved the educational and life prospects of countless children. One such young person that we have helped is Maisha from Biharamulo Kagera in Tanzania. Maisha had a difficult start to life. His father died in 2009 when he was only nine and his mother sadly abandoned the family. This left Maisha to be looked after by just his older brother. His father had worked very hard to provide for the family and allow his sons to go to school so without him they were helpless.

Maisha at University

“With this aid I am hoping to reach my dream, may our Almighty God bless ACT” – Maisha

In 2018 while passing through hardship, Maisha and his brother received support from ACT. This was the moment when the boys’ life started to improve as they received school materials and school contributions. They no longer needed to choose between education and caring for their basic needs. Maisha in particular started to excel academically. He completed form four and passed his final Examination. He recently joined Mbeya University of Science and Technology where he is pursuing Diploma in Biochemical Equipment Engineering. We congratulate him on his successes.

Maisha’s story shows the importance of education in helping to transform the lives of vulnerable children. On this International Day of Education why not make a donation to support our life changing work so that we can help more young people like Maisha and his brother to achieve their full life potential. For just £15 a month you can sponsor a young person in a situation like Maisha’s to achieve his academic potential and follow lifelong dreams. As his story highlights, ACT support really can be life changing. Your donations mean a lot to them. Please click here to sponsor a child or make a donation.