Increasing access to education, learning, and positive employment
We recognise that every child’s circumstances and abilities are different and therefore work to ensure every child has access to learning and development opportunities that align with their individual needs. By creating appropriate learning pathways for growth, we enable children to unlock their full potential and shape a brighter future for themselves and their communities.
The problem:
Practical, emotional and financial issues and a lack of parental support prevent many of the poorest children from enrolling in school, attending regularly or dropping-out prematurely.
Out-dated approaches to teaching and discipline, coupled with an overly academic curriculum result in low levels of retention and attainment, such that children lack confidence in their ability to learn.
Our solution:
We work with children, families, communities, schools and local authorities to ensure every child has access to appropriate learning opportunities.
School Education
We actively engage with vulnerable communities, closely collaborating with local schools to identify out-of-school children and then work with their families to understand and address the barriers preventing their children’s attendance. If the problem is simply affordability, then we help by providing uniforms and books and negotiating fee waivers with schools.
However, in many cases the issues are more complex e.g. parents lacking any formal education, children’s negative experiences of school (bullying, lack of attainment, excessive discipline), a lack of belief in the value of education. Such cases require more intensive counselling and guidance to both the child and their family, provided via regular home visits, parent support group meetings and accompanied visits for parents to schools.
Alternative Learning
For some children and young people, formal education is not a realistic option. This could be due to pressure to work to supplement family income, the need to care for family members, being a child bride/parent or a complete lack of confidence in their ability to learn.
To support such young people, we have developed a functional learning course which improves basic literacy and numeracy skills in a way that has real relevance to daily life e.g. filling in forms, reading maps and road signs, calculating weights and measures. The course is delivered in community settings and work places and significantly improves confidence and practical knowledge in just 35 hours of study.
We also facilitate community-based afterschool clubs to provide children with extra learning support and guidance after school. These classes are invaluable for children who are struggling at school and/or lack any parental support with their studies or space to do their homework.
Training and Livelihoods
Young people who have failed to pass school exams or have dropped out of school prematurely are largely excluded from available training opportunities, resulting in low aspiration and very limited livelihood options. This means that many marginalised and vulnerable young people fall prey to the allure of working overseas and take on significant debt at extortionate interest rates to secure an opportunity but invariably end up working in unsafe, exploitative situations.
We therefore focus on helping young people to develop positive livelihood options closer to home. This includes liaising with local employers to promote apprenticeships and facilitate vocational and on-the-job training opportunities, providing financial support to enable young people to access training and providing grants, loans and business training to enable business start-ups.
I was overwhelmed to receive Rs. 20,000 (c. £125) as a loan from the project to start my business. People may laugh when they hear this but it is a fact that I’ve never held that much money in my life. This support was a turning point for me, transforming me from a helpless and lost person into an independent business woman.”
Adolescent girl receiving business start-up support
Donate today to enable children and young people living in chronic urban poverty to have safer brighter futures.