Backpacks, desks, pencils, whiteboards—we’re familiar with what school looks like here in the U.S. It looks a little different, however, in other parts of the world. Here are 25 of our favorite pictures that give a glimpse into education around the world—everything from rural pole shelters to urban slums.
Uganda
Many Ugandan children, about 60% or more, drop out of school at grade 5 or 6. This results in limited to jobs that earn a meager wage. This situation only worsens the cycle of poverty that most of these children find themselves in. However, if a child completes 7th grade, they become eligible to continue on to a vocational school, other skills training programs, or even continue in their education for an advanced degree. Education and “stay in school” campaigns are a focus of our work in Uganda.
Kenya
We prioritize education as a key way to empower communities in Kenya. We provide scholarships for vocational training and have an extensive feeding program with Mathare Community Outreach in a Nairobi slum, where we help provide two meals a day for about 1,300 students in three schools. Most of these children’s parents either cannot afford to provide three meals a day or are working away from home and are unable to prepare food for their kids. Because of this, students can miss school as they’re forced to search for scraps, or are too hungry to focus in class. Through our feeding program children can receive nutritious meals such as a mix of rice, lentils and tomatoes, and a piece of mango.
Bolivia
Children’s care centers are one of our primary program in Bolivia. More than 550 children are involved in 11 centers in various parts of the country. Most centers meet two or three days a week and serve the children food, offer homework help and teach the Bible. Many Bolivian parents work long hours away from the home and children stay home alone for extended periods of time. These centers offer a safe place for children to come and grow and receive nutritious food in an area where hunger is a major problem.
Haiti
We provide our partner church’s schools with curriculum for their students. According to USAID, primary school enrollment is about 75%. The average Haitian adult 25 or over has less than five years of schooling. Unfortunately, 50% of teachers in government schools lack basic qualifications. Nearly 80% of Haitian teachers haven’t had any pre-service training, USAID reports.
Zambia
In Zambia, we focus primarily on early childhood education, which is why we have built several preschools on Mbabala Island. Local communities around Katiti have shown strong support. The community built one preschool there, and the response has been fantastic. Local churches have contributed through high levels of volunteerism. The broader community shares a strong desire to see their children receive the best possible education.
Support Education for All Kids
As you can see, these images remind us that while classrooms may look different around the world, the desire to learn is universal. Thank you for taking a moment to consider how you might support access to education. Truly, you can inspire hope for all of God’s children.
