Schools for Africa
Children and young people in Croatia learn about children’s rights and create opportunities for children of Madagascar
- Available in:
- Hrvatski
- English
The Challenge
School, a school desk, a notebook, or a teacher are still only a dream for more than 38 million children in Africa. By not being able to experience the empowerment that comes with education, they lose the chance to reach their potential, escape poverty and build a better future for themselves, their family and community.
Poverty, lack of safe school buildings, the remoteness of schools, and discrimination in society are the obstacles to education that these children cannot bridge. This is especially true for the groups of children whose lives have been marked by great challenges – children from remote areas, children with developmental difficulties and girls of all ages.
Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in Africa and it needs help to protect children and to help them achieve their right to education. In this island country, over 91% of the population live on less than HRK 13 a day, and 77% struggle with less than HRK 6 a day. The school attendance rate is extremely low, and teachers are insufficiently trained to deliver quality teaching to the children – a staggering two-thirds of teachers lack formal education for this job. Additionally, due to climate change, natural disasters are becoming more frequent and now strike this country three times a year on average, destroying schools and children’s homes in the process.
The Solution
UNICEF, the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Hamburg Society for the Promotion of Democracy and International Law started the “Schools for Africa” initiative in 2004 to ensure that every child in Africa has an opportunity for education that leads to a safer and happier future. Nelson Mandela’s vision that education can transform the lives of people and entire communities is the foundation of global efforts to provide better opportunities for African children.
The mission to provide access to quality education for the most vulnerable children in Africa has united the world – so far, 27 countries have collected more than USD 300 million and have thus given the opportunity for education to over 30 million girls and boys in 21 African countries!
Croatia is also participating in these noble efforts. The UNICEF Office for Croatia joined the initiative in 2008 by launching the “Schools for Africa” educational and humanitarian programme. Apart from giving the most vulnerable African children a better chance in life, the mission of the “Schools for Africa” programme in Croatia also includes creating an empowering experience for children and young people in our country. Each year, this goal is accomplished through much valued cooperation with kindergartens, schools and centres for education all over Croatia.
In a community full of good will, humanity and faith in change, children and young people learn about children’s rights, unequal opportunities and international solidarity, and help to create better living conditions for children in Africa.
So far, together with their communities, they have collected over HRK 6 million for the education of children in Rwanda, Ethiopia and Burkina Faso.
The money collected has been used to build a number of new schools and renew existing ones, ensure access to clean drinking water and sanitary facilities for children, build school playgrounds, and equip classrooms with the necessary educational materials, school desks and chairs. Early education centres for the youngest children have also been opened, and children who have left school or were forced to work have been given the chance to attend alternative education centres.
This year, we join forces again, only now we do so for the children of Madagascar!
Collected donations can be paid to the giro-account HR9223600001501092532, reference number 19612.
All questions related to the “Schools for Africa” programme can be directed to the following email address: skole_za_afriku@unicef.hr, or by calling the telephone number 01/2442-660.
