In Esmeraldas, education opens pathways to grow up away from violence

Daniel Quiñónez, 23, returns every day to the school where he once studied and where he stood out as one of the top students. At the “Carlos Concha Torres” school, in the coastal city of Esmeraldas, Ecuador, Daniel now supports children and adolescents as a tutor in UNICEF’s Learning Support Programme, implemented by Humboldt Zentrum. Since July, he has been accompanying 75 students, many of whom are marked by poverty, violence, and fear. Despite the challenges, Daniel takes on his role with enthusiasm and commitment, convinced that learning begins with providing a safe space.

One of his students is Enot, an eight-year-old in fifth grade. His mother, Ángela, raises him on her own, so keeping him in school is a constant effort. “The most challenging thing I’ve had to face with my son is his schooling, because there are times when you simply don’t have the means,” she says. Teachers and neighbours in the community organize themselves to help with uniforms, school supplies, and other expenses so Enot can continue studying. He attends the Learning Support Programme on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a space that helps him reinforce his learning and stay connected to school.

In Esmeraldas, violence, insecurity, and lack of economic resources affect regular school attendance and make it difficult for children to remain in school. In 2024, around 18,739 children and adolescents — 9.6 per cent of the population between the ages of 5 and 17 — were out of the education system in the province. This reality is reflected in the everyday life of the classroom. “Some parents have written to me saying, ‘I can’t send my child today, I don’t have money for the bus fare,’ or ‘my child can’t leave the house because there was a shooting in my neighbourhood.’ These are things that really hurt you as a tutor,” Daniel says. 

School support to keep learning

The Learning Support Programme accompanies more than 460 vulnerable children in Esmeraldas. Through this space, they strengthen their skills in reading, writing, and mathematics while also receiving support for their emotional well-being. The programme promotes a safe and supportive environment where children can express themselves, rebuild their self-confidence, and rediscover their enjoyment of learning.

Currently, the programme is implemented in six schools in vulnerable areas of the province of Esmeraldas and supports students from third to seventh grade. Seven tutors, like Daniel, work directly with children between the ages of 7 and 12, adapting activities to the needs of each group so that learning can become possible again.

Since joining the Learning Support Programme, Enot’s experience at school has changed. His mother says he now enjoys his classes “because the teacher teaches him with patience.” Mathematics used to be one of his biggest challenges, and at home, they were not always able to help him practice. Today, those efforts are starting to pay off: Enot comes home excited and proudly shares that he learned how to divide. “He has changed a lot,” his mother says with a smile. As a tutor, Daniel also notices this change in the classroom. “I see that the students are very eager to learn, and the parents are also very motivated.” For him, beyond strengthening academic skills, the most important outcome is the confidence the children are building in themselves. 

Looking ahead, Daniel is clear about what motivates him. He dreams of seeing his students grow and achieve their goals. He also shares a wish that goes beyond the classroom: that the city improves so children can learn and grow without fear, in a safer environment with opportunities for everyone. 

UNICEF’s School Support Programme is implemented in cities across Esmeraldas, one of the provinces most affected by violence in Ecuador, benefiting hundreds of children every year. This is made possible thanks to the Humanitarian Aid of the European Union and the people who donate to UNICEF.