Adapted stories from the field. View original and original.

Milena, a teacher at the Educational Institute in Medellín, and Alonso, the principal at an educational institution in Cúcuta are dedicated to teaching, mentoring and supporting their diverse student bodies in Colombia.

The migratory crisis and the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have made it impossible for thousands of Venezuelan children and adolescents to start or resume their education in the country.

Thanks to the programme, “La Educación no puede esperar” (Education Cannot Wait in English), Milena and Alonso are able to more easily support adolescents in this area — regardless of nationality, gender, race or ethnicity.

The programme implements accelerated learning models, which provide students with basic primary concepts of reading, writing, and logic and math skills. Milena, with the help of the programme, can more easily build the resilience of the refugee population in her classroom. With this help, Milena’s students are able to continue their learning process and can have a more prosperous future.

"The ‘La Educación no puede esperar’ programme helped the children a lot and they also really liked the work they did in the classrooms. We hope that we can continue this activity this year.” ~Milena, teacher at the Educational Institute in Medellín

According to the Ministry of Education in Colombia, many adolescents are out of school because of the “lack of educational infrastructure, especially in rural areas.” Improving the quality of educational spaces and sanitary programmes is essential to supporting teachers and reducing the number of out-of-school children and adolescents. Through safe learning environments and training, teachers like Milena are able to provide better instruction and impart health knowledge via WASH programmes.

“For us as an institution, it’s very important to have adequate sanitation facilities and basic sanitation programmes. Where we are located, people require constant help to develop their skills. The help of these organizations is a grain of sand in an ocean of need.” ~Alonso, the principal at an educational institution in Cúcuta

With ECW funding, the programme has improved classrooms and boys’ and girls’ bathrooms in educational institutions that allow teachers to implement accelerated learning models. By providing new materials, desks, sinks, urinals and water tanks for access to safe drinking water, teachers like Milena are better able to support their students. These facilities are essential to both teacher and student well-being.

The initiative is implemented by World Vision, UNICEF, Save the Children, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and PLAN International. It seeks to improve access to quality, protective and equitable education for out-of-school refugee, migrant and host-community children and adolescents in nine states within the country.