#Education Cannot Wait #UNICEF #Kaya #Burkina Faso

Introduction

In Burkina Faso, the challenging circumstances do not deter 14-year-old twins Fadilatou and Neimata from pursuing education. While many kids take a break during school holidays, these girls are hard at work, attending a bustling classroom in Kaya, armed with notebooks and pens. Their determination is fueled by a vital program known as Transition Classes, funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in collaboration with UNICEF and the Burkina Faso government.

Overcoming Adversity

Fadilatou and Neimata's education journey is marked by resilience. Their mother, Assèta Sawadogo, who has seven children, views their school attendance as a silent victory. The family used to live in Damesma in the northern central region of Burkina Faso but was forced to flee due to escalating violence. Moving to Kaya brought its own challenges, including finding space for the twins in schools that were already filled.

"When we fled to Kaya, we couldn’t enroll the children as classrooms were packed," Assèta recalls, highlighting a significant barrier faced by many displaced families. Despite this challenge, she remained committed to her daughters' education, using lanterns at night to allow them to study. The arrival of Transition Classes offered a lifeline, allowing her daughters to catch up on lost education and providing them with the skills necessary to reintegrate into the formal schooling system.

The Impact of Transition Classes

These four-month courses are designed to equip marginalized children with the necessary tools to regain lost educational ground and prepare for their return to regular school curricula. With support from UNICEF and their partners, temporary learning spaces have been established across the country. This initiative has significantly increased the number of displaced children who can now benefit from education.

A Country in Crisis

Burkina Faso currently faces a severe humanitarian crisis, marked by violence and insecurity that has displaced over two million people, more than half of whom are children. This situation has compounded existing educational challenges, as even before the escalation of the crisis, one in two children in Burkina Faso was out of school. In response to this dire situation, national and international partners have ramped up efforts to deliver educational and support services.

Education Cannot Wait's Role

Since 2019, ECW along with UNICEF has been at the forefront of ensuring that children affected by the crisis can continue to learn. The recent expansion of the Resilience Program under ECW focuses on building safe learning spaces, mental health and psychosocial services, provision of educational materials, and professional development for teachers. Children are now learning in secure temporary classrooms, receiving school supplies, and where safety is a concern, attending classes via solar or hand-crank radios.

Building Hope and Resilience

These collaborative efforts not only facilitate children's return to the classroom but also foster hope, resilience, and a sense of normalcy amid ongoing instability. The program strengthens local and national educational systems, ensuring the continuity of learning even during crises.

A Brighter Future Ahead

Back in Kaya, Assèta watches her daughters leave for class, notebooks in hand and dreams in their hearts. The lanterns she keeps charged at home have become symbols of hope, representing a future that is slowly being reclaimed, lesson by lesson. For Fadilatou and Neimata, attending school is not just part of their daily routine; it's an opportunity for them to rediscover their ambitions. Supported by a nurturing family and dedicated teachers, the twins aspire to become educators themselves. "We want to be teachers to help our younger siblings and other children," Fadilatou expressed with determination.

Conclusion

The story of Fadilatou and Neimata exemplifies the transformative power of education, even in the most challenging circumstances. With the support of organizations like ECW and UNICEF, children like them are not only overcoming barriers but also shaping a brighter future for themselves and their communities.