Education connects all human beings together and is a fundamental human right. Thanks to education we learn about the fundamentals of the world and the lessons that come with it.
Education has been a jewel from the start, with a broad category of topics we can learn about and implement in our lives. It provides pathways for the people of today to learn from the past, learn of the present, and learn how to make their futures full of discoveries.
Unfortunately, there are millions of youths today that have hope in their eyes and a passion fueling their hearts - but do not have the opportunity to pursue their dreams. The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization finds that in Africa, one-fifth of children ages 6 to 11 are out of school, and one-third ages 12 to 14. To fully understand why such a large number of children are out of school, we need to look at some more statistics and then a few solutions that are being taken to help those who are suffering.
From the beginning of time, an enormous deficit gap has always been present in Africa due to developmental crises. The Global Policy Forum asserts that most African nations are underdeveloped due to military rule, corruption, and civil war, channeling into one significant repercussion: poverty. Brookings Education reports that the average poverty rate of sub-Saharan Africa is 41% and constitutes 27 of the top 28 poorest countries globally, all with poverty rates towering higher than 30%.
With these peaked poverty rates, there is no margin available for schools to be built or teachers to be hired to provide children with a decent education. In addition to poverty rates, children cannot pursue an education because they are engrossed within child labor and its insufferable conditions. The International Labor Organization finds that Africa has the most significant number of child laborers as 72.1 million African children are supposedly working from a young age, with 31.5 million working in dangerous and deadly situations. These young, naïve lives are engulfed into labor that leaves hope for an education wholly diminished.
To regenerate hope in the lives of these young ones, Develop Africa, a non-profit organization, is providing resources to families in Africa to brighten their futures. They provide materials such as mosquito nets, healthcare, and technology so families can become self-sufficient and furnish an education for their bright children. By providing more opportunities and guidance through mentorship and leadership programs, Develop Africa is shedding light on child labor and poverty issues by sparking aspirations in the eyes of these entitled youths.
By supporting Develop Africa, people like you and me can also save the lives of children who are drowning in these harsh conditions. This can be done by showing support to African families and providing hope for a better lifestyle.
We can dedicate our time and effort to organizations like Develop Africa, which rebuild faltering neighborhoods and take action against insufferable circumstances surrounding families. But most importantly, we can altogether take a step towards change.
Change is essential to human life, and it can only be sparked through unity and working together. So I encourage you to connect with your community and enlighten the lives of children in Africa so we can rescue the futures of these warm, loving hearts.
By: Hetvi Trivedi
