Going to school is a fundamental right, but for some vulnerable children, education is a challenge. During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of children and youngsters worldwide experienced what it means not to have access to school. They missed their friends and teachers. Their education often suffered. Once the restrictions were lifted, they were happy to return as soon as schools opened.
But what if this extraordinary situation was the ordinary one? This is the case for millions of children caught in a humanitarian crisis.
It is also the case for Marie, Hanan, and Sonia: 3 young girls from Burkina Faso, Ukraine, and Syria.
Together we will follow them in their daily lives and discover the many challenges and difficulties they must face to go to school.
Thanks to their inner strength and the humanitarian efforts of the EU, today, they are succeeding.
Marie, Sonia, and Hanan are determined to claim their right to education, no matter what.
Discover their video stories to get to know them, their teachers and friends.
Marie
Violent conflicts forced her away from her home in Burkina Faso – which meant leaving her school behind. With EU humanitarian support, a safe learning space has been built so she can keep attending lessons.
Despite her turbulent childhood, Marie would like to become a teacher to help other children who are suffering. To make this dream a reality, Marie requires a safe, constant and welcoming school where she can build her future.
Sonia
Sonia’s classroom was badly damaged during the war in Ukraine. Thanks to EU humanitarian support, her school is being restored to safe conditions.
Getting a good and continuous education is key to helping Sonia fulfil her ambition of being a psychologist. She works hard studying mathematical and scientific subjects such as algebra, geometry, biology and chemistry to obtain the qualifications she needs to follow this career path.
The war in her country has further strengthened her determination to train in this field.
Hanan
The war in Syria disrupted her life and forced her to leave school early. EU humanitarian funding helped her access catch-up classes to ensure that she keeps learning.
Thanks to these catch-up classes, Hanan could regain a part of her childhood. She can now continue with her education and pursue her ambition of being a doctor.
Raise your hand for education!
Do you believe knowledge is power and want to support Marie, Sonia, and Hanan and their right to education?
Then post a video of yourself on social media with your hand raised.
Use the filter on your mobile to make the message even more powerful – and post it with the hashtag #EducationNoMatterWhat.
Toolkit for schools
About the campaign
Across the world, humanitarian crises threaten to disrupt the education of children and young people.
This is unacceptable. Education is a fundamental human right and a basic need for a better future and more fair societies. It must not be interrupted, no matter how serious the crisis.
Education is the driving force for change: it is powerful and essential. Education should always be possible, no matter what.
Discover more about what the EU is doing to support education in emergencies.