Celebrating Empowered Learners Around the World

ECW commemorates International Day of Education, shining a light on the inspiring stories and voices of children reached with quality education

By Education Cannot Wait

January 24^th, 2024

The universal right to education can empower future generations with the knowledge and values to build more peaceful, just societies. After all, every peacemaker, changemaker and community leader was once a child with a dream.

Children of all ages, on every continent, and in every circumstance deserve the right to learn and grow to their full potential. However, for 224 million children around the world, the life-changing power of a safe, inclusive quality education remains out of reach. Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, and partners around the world are working together to make this right a reality.

“By giving all children and adolescents the opportunity to realize their right to an education, we are indeed investing in humanity and peaceful coexistence on the globe.” ~Yasmine Sherif, ECW Executive Director Full Statement

ECW takes a whole-of-child approach and brings all partners together to provide protection and psychosocial services, gender equality, teacher training, learning materials, school feeding programmes, early childhood education and an array of other supports that ensure holistic solutions for those left furthest behind.

To date, ECW investments have reached approximately 9 million crisis-affected girls and boys around the world. This International Day of Education, ECW celebrates the power of education to uplift, inspire and create lasting peace. Get to know the powerful stories of Ritaj, Gizat, Darya, Alessia, Roshida and Bisharo, and learn how quality education has given them each the chance to dream again.

RITAJ, Syria

Ritaj and her younger brother, Ahmad, in front of the community centre. © UNICEF Syria/May Saad

For 4-year-old Ritaj and her brothers, it’s never too early to start dreaming big.

Living in Tal-Aran amidst conflict in Syria, Ritaj’s family has had to make difficult choices regarding their children’s education. But since an ECW-funded early childhood education programme began operating in their neighbourhood, a world of opportunities has opened up for them.

Run out of local community centres, the UNICEF-implemented programmes are safely and easily accessible to families with young children. Regular classes ensure that girls and boys like Ritaj are set up for success by teaching life skills, including literacy and numeracy.

The head start that early childhood education provides is critical for the development of all children, including those living in emergencies and protracted crises. Now, Ritaj and her siblings are empowered to dream of brighter futures, imagining themselves as teachers, pilots and police officers.

“I want to become an Arabic teacher. But now it is too early because I don’t have enough information about teaching. In the future, I will. I might teach at this centre.” ~Ritaj, 4

GIZAT, Ethiopia

Gizat engages in classroom learning with the assistance of his new hearing aid. © World Vision Ethiopia

Gizat used to find it difficult to hear when his teacher called his name.

An energetic boy born with a hearing impairment, he struggled both academically and socially to keep up with his classmates. ECW investments in Ethiopia ensured that Gizat was able to receive the hearing aid he needed to learn, allowing him to access information in an equitable way to his peers without a disability.

“After getting a hearing aid, I hear properly what my teacher and friends are saying. I'm doing well in my education.” ~Gizat

For children with disabilities, access to an inclusive education makes achieving their dreams possible. Targeted support ensures that girls and boys like Gizat can stay in their local school and learn with ease and confidence. Thanks to support from World Vision Ethiopia, with funding from ECW, Gizat is now able to fully participate in his education.

DARYA, Moldova

Darya raises her hand in her classroom in Chisinau, Moldova. © UNICEF Moldova/Dogoter

After Darya fled Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country, she missed her friends and family more than anything.

While her parents had to remain in Odesa, the 10-year-old sought safety and a sense of normality in neighboring Moldova with her grandparents. An inquisitive and social child, Darya missed going to school and worried about those they'd left behind in Ukraine.

Not long after they entered Moldova, Darya’s grandmother signed her up for an ECW-supported informal education programme, implemented in partnership by UNICEF Moldova, Norwegian Refugee Council and their national partner Step by Step Moldova. Through the programme, Darya learned enough Romanian to enroll in a school in Chisinau. Now, Darya can continue her education surrounded by supportive new friends and teachers, and feels at home again in the classroom.

“On the first day [of school], I didn’t talk to anyone, but then I started to communicate with the girls. Now, I have more than five friends at school.” ~Darya, 10

ALESSIA, Peru

Alessia (left) works on a lesson with her classmates at school in Lima. © UNESCO Peru

Alessia, 16, beams with pride as she walks through the halls of her school.

Just a few years ago, she was newly displaced from her home in Venezuela due to ongoing economic and political crises, and worried about feeling excluded in her new home. Today, she is a leader in her school and community. Thanks to ECW and partner support in Peru, Alessia has found an environment of social cohesion and mutual understanding in her classroom – equal parts learning and laughter.

Alessia has noticed a big change in the attitudes of her classmates since the implementation of the ECW-funded +DIVERSIDAD programme – which included a UNESCO-led teacher training initiative. With the new training in subjects such as social-emotional skills for living together, gender equality, interculturality and school inclusion, her teachers are now equipped to actively foster an environment of inclusion. Today, Alessia is not only welcomed in her new home, but has taken on a leadership position as her school’s mayor.

“The +DIVERSIDAD programme is helping a great deal for the integration of school students. It has worked very well in this school. Compared to when I arrived, things have changed vastly. We are now accepted as we are.” ~Alessia, 16

ROSHIDA, Bangladesh

Roshida in her classroom at a learning centre in Cox's Bazar. © UNICEF Bangladesh/Taharul Islam

Roshida, a young Rohingya refugee living in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, has suffered many losses in her young life. Forced to flee her home in Myanmar and having lost both her parents at a young age, she now lives in the largest refugee camp in the world with her grandmother.

Fortunately, she hasn’t lost the opportunity to continue her education – enrolling in classes at a learning centre supported by ECW, and run by UNICEF and other partners. There, she has received the support and encouragement to keep learning and striving to make her dreams a reality.

When Roshida’s grandmother became concerned for her safety on her daily walk to school, she considered pulling Roshida out of school and finding her a husband. An ECW-supported school management committee stepped in, and school staff explained to Roshida’s grandmother the far-reaching benefits of completing her education. Staff also began walking with Roshida to school. This individual support convinced Roshida’s grandmother to support her granddaughter's education.

“I won’t get married before I turn 18. I see the challenges that the girls in my community face. If I get an education, I will teach them and, together, we will create a more equal future.” ~Roshida

BISHARO, Somalia

Bisharo at school in Mudug, Somalia. © Save the Children Somalia

Bisharo, along with the other girls in her school in the Mudug region of Somalia, would often rush home between classes and during breaks. This resulted in them regularly missing classes. Their teachers also noticed that girls would miss days of school because of their periods, and the lack of privacy and menstrual hygiene products available at the school.

To address these critical gaps and give the girls in Mudug access to a supportive educational environment that meets their needs, a Girls’ Friendly Space was constructed. Built with support from ECW and Save the Children, the space is equipped with a private bathroom, and dining and study area, and stocked with menstrual hygiene kits.

Thanks to the new Girls’ Friendly Space, Bisharo’s attendance and grades have improved. With a space to call her own, Bisharo is now empowered to pursue her education without disruption, and in comfort and safety.

"After this room was built, we benefited from it a lot. We rest, eat, revise and pray here. We have a place to chat comfortably about exams and lessons. We also use the space to talk privately with our female teachers – especially when we need advice.” ~Bisharo, 16

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