Helping our poor young people at EJO HEZA  DON BOSCO CENTRE – KABUGA

The Fundamental Right to Education: Building Futures for Every Child

Every child has a right to education because education is really a basic human right. It is the one without which children, and indeed all of us, are less likely to enjoy a good life. Education enables children to develop to their full potential cognitively, socially, emotionally and physically, to participate in society and in civic life, and to be prepared for future economic opportunities. Education helps reduce inequality and lifts families and communities out of poverty. The ability to read, write, reason and solve problems diagnoses a community’s health, its level of cooperation, and even its potential for conflicts.

Therefore, every child needs a chance. Without access to a quality Basic Education, the ability to make that course of action will be much harder. If children lose the real chance to make the most of their talents, then so does each individual community, as well as their country and ultimately all countries of the world. The right to Education is everyone’s right: children, adolescents and adults. The right to Education guarantees that all children will have a Fair Start in Life—the ability to enter a world of possibilities and to have a say in how their futures are shaped. Every child needs that chance.

Some children, however, have greater difficulties in realizing this right than others. Poverty can adversely influence parents’ decision to send their children to school and can significantly lessen the time that the child will spend studying due to lack of school fees, basic materials and many others. It is for this reason that the Salesians of Don Bosco at Ejo Heza Don Bosco Centre located in KABUGA, Huye District, Southern Province of Rwanda are trying their best to help the poor young people of that area to get the facilities in their studies; though challenges due to the economic possibilities are still a blockage.

Journeying with these forementioned young people, we came to realize that access to adequate basic materials enables poor children to compete effectively with their non-poor peers, marking a critical step toward their educational success. Basic educational materials that we managed to provide to 357 poor young people, thanks to the people of good will, include quality textbooks, mathematical sets, pens, and shoes. As one young girl, KAMALIZA Solange, emotionally stated it, this will empower them to actively participate in lessons, complete homework assignments, and fulfill school-related requirements.

By exchanging with them, one realizes that young children from low-income families also confront obstacles in other fundamental areas of life that impact their educational pursuits. Insufficient family income limits spending on supplementary materials beyond the essentials supplied by schools; a lack of nurturing support at home can lead to emotional stress, anxiety, and feelings of neglect; and inadequate proper diets diminish concentration, energy, and life vitality. These factors adversely affect children’s commitments to learning and self-improvement. Nevertheless, poverty is not solely a family deprivation; children from disadvantaged situations still harbor aspirations for success and prosperity. Providing support to poor students represents a strategic starting point for transformation.

Our sincere gratitude goes to all our Donors for your ceaseless support which enables us to keep journeying in hope with our young people.

Fr Célestin NTAKIYIAMANA,

                        Ejo Heza Don Bosco Centre Kabuga – Huye