On a daily basis, children who are not in school are more easily exposed to dangers, whether at home or at work. World Vision France works to ensure that every child can return to school safely and sustainably to build their future.
Going to school and learning is a right for every child. By signing the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, the CRC, States commit themselves to taking the necessary measures to encourage regular school attendance and reduce school dropout rates in their countries. School must indeed be a place of learning, development and protection of children.
Schooling plays a fundamental role in the development of the youngest. Every child excluded from school is one more child at risk of abuse, exploitation, or early marriage. Children who do not attend school are also more vulnerable to situations of extreme poverty. Without education, a child has little chance of breaking out of the vicious circle of poverty and choosing a career. School is all the more important in war situations, in order to prevent the risks of conflict from continuing.
A good education gives students the opportunity to defend their rights, pursue higher education and qualify for jobs that are useful to the entire population. It allows younger generations to participate in the development of their country and find their place in society, far from conflicts and risks of exploitation.
Sponsoring a child means giving €1 per day to allow them to be protected and go to school . It also allows them, and everyone around them, to change their world in a lasting way.
Dangers and Obstacles to Child Education
Even today, many obstacles prevent children from benefiting from a safe and fulfilling education. Family poverty is one of the first obstacles to children’s schooling. Many of them must help their parents in the fields or find employment, often informal, to support their families. Some miss part of their classes and fall behind, others drop out completely and gradually move away from school.
The journey to school can also be long and dangerous for children. Many schools are far from students’ homes, especially in rural areas. Wild animals may be present on the roads, forcing children to take long detours. Schoolchildren may also be victims of assaults on their way to school, especially girls who are more exposed to such dangers.
In Zambia, Mary, a Grade 8 student, walks to school alone. The schoolgirl has to walk 5 km to reach her school in Chipapa community, Chilanga district. Because of the long distance, Mary starts her morning at 3am to do some household chores and leaves home at 4am so as not to be late for school which starts at 7am. Walking this route so early, and alone, puts the young girl at risk.
Supporting children on their way to school through sponsorship
Every child must be able to benefit from a safe and suitable environment to follow an education in the best conditions and feel protected. World Vision France, thanks to the various sponsorship programs, supports families and populations by providing support to educational structures, in particular through the provision of materials or the renovation of infrastructures (classrooms, toilets, dormitories, etc. ).
All necessary conditions must be met so that every child can go to school safely and continue to learn and thrive. To this end, the international NGO intervenes in different areas: access to water, health, food, child protection, economic development and of course education. It is by reducing poverty that children will take the path to school.
This holistic approach to development provides the ideal conditions for children to attend school. With access to drinking water in villages, children no longer have to spend hours fetching water and can go to school. World Vision France thus aims to combat the root causes of children dropping out of school, including extreme poverty and insecurity. Like Mary, many children need support to continue studying, go to school and access quality education.
You too can become a sponsor and make a real contribution to children’s right to education by encouraging the education of each of them.
