Back-to-school season is always bittersweet. It’s a fresh chapter for students around the world to continue their work toward a bright future, even if that also means the less-anticipated return of late-night study sessions and class presentations.
Anyone who has been through school knows that getting an education is one of the most important achievements in your life, and overcoming the not-so-fun parts of school is always worth it. Yet, many children around the world are unable to experience even these small stresses from school because they’re facing an even harsher reality: being unable to attend class altogether.
Plan International’s education programs are designed to help children experiencing poverty, conflict and other barriers go to school, stay in school and graduate so they can build the futures they really want.
Back to school against the odds
Christina, a 16-year-old girl from Tanzania, is one of those children. After being abandoned by their parents, Christina and her six siblings were taken in by their grandfather.
While still in primary school, Christina worked on farms to earn money for school supplies and food for her family. Despite these hardships, she completed her primary education. However, poverty and her family’s belief that marriage was the only way out of their financial difficulties eventually halted Christina’s education.
“Every day was a struggle to provide for my family and keep my dreams alive,” Christina says. “I saw my sister forced into marriage to pay for our grandfather’s medical bills, and I feared that would be my fate also.”
Christina’s story took a turn when staff from a Plan project to keep adolescent girls in school heard about her situation. She was immediately encouraged to join.
“Christina’s determination is truly inspirational,” one of the project facilitators says. “Despite the obstacles she faced, she never gave up on her dreams. Giving her the opportunity to return to school and supporting her along the way was an easy decision.”
The project works with the government and community organizations in Tanzania to help girls exercise their right to education by engaging parents and community members in conversations about the value of girls’ education and providing tangible support, like school supplies, to reduce costs.
Although Christina started the program five months late, she was undeterred. She approached her studies with courage and resilience, and quickly became one of the top students in her class.
Now Christina hopes to become an advocate for girls’ education. Deeply aware of how the lack of education affected her family, she is determined to ensure that no other girl goes through the same struggles she has.
"Now I am full of hope,” Christina says. “Going back to school has changed my life. I’m so happy to be here. I know that education is my way out of poverty and my chance to help other girls avoid the same fate. I’m not going to let anything stand in my way.”
From sponsored child to certified nurse
When Jenny was 10 years old, she joined Plan’s sponsorship program in Ecuador. Growing up in a remote village limited her parents’ financial prospects and made it difficult for Jenny to get an education. Once she entered secondary school, she had to travel an hour and a half just to get to the closest school. Through the sponsorship program, she was able to stay the course (pun intended).
“I am very grateful to all the people from Plan International,” Jenny says. “With the support they gave me, I was able to buy the school supplies I needed.”
After graduating from high school and completing Plan’s sponsorship program, Jenny decided to go to university to study nursing, but the high costs involved in continuing her education made it seem impossible.
Although education in Ecuador is free, universities are in big cities, far from the rural communities where young people like Jenny live. Expenses like transportation, food, internet and books can be barriers to higher education.
Plan was there to help Jenny keep her dreams alive. Since 2016, Plan has been awarding students (especially young women) in Ecuador with university scholarships to help cover the extra costs, and when Jenny heard about this, she applied for this support.
Now, after years of studying, Jenny is officially a nurse! Despite the challenges she had to overcome, with the support of Plan, her family and a lot of determination, she is the first person in her family to graduate from university.
"I want to be a role model for my siblings, so they know that they can achieve their goals and dreams,” Jenny says. “I want to tell all women to follow their dreams so that they can be great leaders and can continue sharing their knowledge. We are all capable.”
Plan believes that every child deserves a quality education, regardless of their circumstances. With the support of compassionate people who contribute to education programs for students like Christina and Jenny, we are breaking down barriers that prevent children from accessing school to ensure they can reach their full potential.
By investing in education, we are investing in the future of our world.
