How CAR’s young U-Reporters are helping their children return to school
International Day of Education 2026
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Clad in her U-Report t-shirt, volunteer Aisha Ibrahim walks through the narrow lanes of her Yakite neighbourhood in Bangui’s 3rd district, on a mission to get more children into school in the Central African Republic.
She soon reaches the home of Amne, 7, and sister Fanne, 15. Their mother, Mariama Abakar, proudly shares that both girls are attending school and doing well.
Aisha listens attentively, offering encouragement and support. At the beginning of the academic year, she helped cover the girls’ school registration fees, along with other essential expenses such as school uniforms and stationery. Today, she has come to monitor their academic progress and is pleased to see that they are doing well.
“I am convinced that every child has the right to education. That’s why, for the past few years, I have volunteered to go door-to-door to support families who lack the means to send all their children to school. The results are encouraging.”
In her municipal district, Aisha is a member of the U-Reporters group, made up of seven young people—four boys and three girls. Each volunteer contributes 1,000 CFA francs ($1.8) monthly. “We use this fund to cover school expenses for vulnerable families,” Aisha explains. “Each of us has sponsored between five and ten children.”
While this may seem like a modest initiative, actions like these, entirely led and financed by young people, are making a meaningful difference in communities.
On 24 January, the world marks the International Day of Education, which recognizes education as a fundamental human right. This year’s theme, “The power of youth in co-creating education,” highlights the vital role young people play in shaping inclusive learning opportunities.
Mariama Abakar, the mother of Amne and Fanne, recalls how her family was forced to flee Bangui during years of intercommunal violence that left their neighbourhood deserted and many buildings burned to the ground. Amne was born during that time of displacement in Kouango, a small town about 400 kilometres east of Bangui. In 2020, as the security situation improved, the family were able to return to the capital.
Today, they live in a small house for which they pay 10,000 CFA francs per month in rent—a relatively modest amount. Mariama’s husband is unemployed making her the sole breadwinner. She runs a small roadside business selling buns, but her income is barely enough to cover the family’s basic needs.
Although primary education is officially free in the Central African Republic (CAR), low-income families like Mariama’s often struggle to afford additional costs such as registration fees, school uniforms and stationery.
Fanne is in her last year of primary school. Her favourite subject is Civic Education, and she says she wants to become a Member of Parliament. She and her little sister walk daily to their nearby classrooms.
“I couldn’t go very far with my education, but I want my girls to have the opportunities that I didn’t have when I was young. Above all I don’t want them to go for early marriage, which would ruin their schooling.”
UNICEF is working in CAR to both expand access to education and improve the quality of education, which is a key priority of the government. Across CAR, there are 129 U-Reporter groups bringing together more than 57,000 young people engaged in a wide range of community campaigns, particularly in the sectors of health, social and behavioural change, clean environments and education. U-Reporters raise awareness among parents, encourage school enrolment and remind communities of the vital importance of education for every child’s future.
*To join U-Report in CAR, just send « UREPORT » or « RCA » by SMS to number 1415.
