Right to Education in Underserved Settings:Collaborative Initiative Award

Haki Nawiri Afrika and Safina Empowerment Organisation are winners of the Collaborative Initiative Award.This Award is to recognise World Pulse members who are working together to advance a cause for social justice .These two organisations were initially recognised for collaborating on matters agroecology and addressing climate crisis.Through the Award the two organisation are building resilience in climate change affected communities and at the same time changing narratives on food systems by promoting healthy and sustainable food production processes anchored on agroecological practices.

Realisation of the right to education is a mirage for many children in Africa due to conflicts, school drop out , child marriages , child labour among others.The school completion and retention rates for children living in informal settlements , rural communities and other pockets of poverty is often comparatively lower than other children.

The month of June is a special month for African children.This is when the Day of the African Child is celebrated across the continent .The Theme for the Day of the African Child for the year 2024 is Education for Al Children in Africa :Time to Act is Now.In 2024,The theme is anchored on building resilient education systems for increased access to inclusive, lifelong , quality and relevant learning in Africa .This was adopted at the 36th Ordinary session of the African Union held in February 2023.

In celebrating the Day of the African Child and in line with realisation of the right to education, particularly for children in vulnerable settings , Haki Nawiri Afrika and Safina Empowerment Organisation engaged children in Embakasi in Nairobi County through distribution of stationery and engagement in spellings as well as responding to children with challenges in basic education.

This will be a continuous initiative , which the two implementing organisations hope to undertake into the future .We need support to continue with transformative change in the lives of vulnerable children towards the realisation of the right to education.

The communities we work with are in dire need of the following:

-Support to set up a community library -this will enable children have access to books including story books and space to do homework in an environment conducive for learning

-Digital learning space in form of computers to equip children and youth with free digital skills

-Toys to improve the cognitive skills of younger children

-Sports materials to actualise the right to play

-Educational sponsorship for needy cases for secondary school fees

-School based materials such as stationery

-We are keen on setting up mental health sessions for children as part of psychosocial support ,This will be provided in both rural and urban settings.

As Nelson Mandela correctly put it" Education is the best weapon you can use to change the world".

References

shttps://www.acerwc.africa/sites/default/files/2024-03/Concept-Note_Day-of-the-African-Child_2024_ENG.pdf