Participation and Communication
Review
[Overseas News] 2014 educational support for poor children in Mozambiq…
■Purpose: Monitoring WECA overseas education support campaign for poor children
■Schedule: September 28 (Sun) – October 3 (Fri), 2014
■Place visited: Magudi School, Mozambique, Africa
September 2014
Even though it is in Africa, Mozambique is a very poor country compared to other countries such as South Africa. Mozambique has been deprived of gold and ivory and exploited for labor by Arabs for about 500 years, starting in the 11th century. From the 15th century, it was colonized by Portugal for about 500 years, and after independence in 1975, it went through a dark period of civil war until 1992. Mozambique has continued its economic recovery over the past 20 years, but most people still suffer from extreme poverty.
▶ A slum located on the outskirts of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique
Because the best way to eradicate poverty and poverty is through “education,” WECA focuses on children’s education and practices sharing. One of the ways is to support the operation of WECA schools in impoverished areas overseas.
Among the schools supported by WECA is Magudi School. Magudi School is located on the outskirts of Maputo, the African capital. Magudi School is located in one of the slums of Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, and most of the students are children from poor families.
A place with piles of trash piled up here and there and excrement left behind because there is no separate toilet, mixed together and causing a foul odor! A place where black, rotten water is formed by garbage! We were deeply shocked by the sight of the children living here.
▶ The poor Magudi school made of wood
Magudi School, a school built for children living without anyone’s care! Many slum children were studying here. Because each child has their own circumstances, such as taking care of younger siblings or working, Magudi School operates under a three-day system. The school, which operates in morning, afternoon 1, and afternoon 2 classes, has about 450 children who walk hours away to have the opportunity to learn. Although the commute to school was difficult, we could feel the passionate passion of the children studying at school. It was the children's passion to escape poverty through education.
▶ Although it is a classroom without desks and chairs, it is a very important classroom for children.
The number of children who wanted to study was increasing one by one, but the conditions for children to receive education were very poor. There was a lack of everything necessary for education, including inadequate classrooms, desks, chairs, and school supplies. WECA first provides school supplies such as pencils, notebooks, and books, which are most necessary for children to study. Coming to school is a really great thing, but it is impossible for children to buy books or school supplies that cost more than what an adult earns per day.
Koji, a child we met when WECA visited Magudi School! Koji takes care of his younger brother and picks up trash from morning to afternoon to support the household. Koji's life may seem monotonous and hopeless, but he has a dream. My dream is to study hard and become a teacher. Koji, who attends the second afternoon class at Magudi School, is said to study harder than other children his age. This may be because I have dreams and hopes for tomorrow through learning. WECA will continue to be a friend who, like Koji, waits for children to go to school even during a difficult day and stays by their side so that they have new dreams through learning so that they do not lose hope.
A weapon that can change the world, education!
When we visited Mozambique, there were many places in need of help, but it was heartbreaking and painful to see that we were unable to provide support to all of them. And it was very unfortunate that the children who were supposed to be looked after were being neglected and unable to go to school.
▶ The children who were talking excitedly became quiet after just one bread.
In the slums we visited while touring Magudi School, we saw many children who were unable to go to school. The children were playing with tires and PT bottles abandoned on the road without anyone's care. Seeing the children saying nothing when asked, “Have you eaten?”, we prepared a small gift. To help children temporarily relieve their hunger, we distributed locally sourced bread. Numerous children and adults gathered there. I was worried that there would be a shortage of bread as more people gathered than expected... but there was no need to worry. The children cut their bread in half and shared it with each other. Although they were children who had little, their thoughts and consideration for each other were greater and richer than anyone else's.
Currently, support for Africa has decreased significantly compared to before due to the impact of Ebola. There is a growing reluctance to even visit Africa. Mozambique is located in southeastern Africa and is virtually unaffected by Ebola, but the impact was still felt here.
We thought. Donations from sponsors may be stopped at any time. Children cannot depend on relief supplies forever. We need to prepare for future hunger rather than immediate hunger. The way to prepare for this is education. Children who have the opportunity to learn are no longer dependent on relief supplies and are able to create their own future. WECA, which helps children become independent, has once again realized the importance of education.
Children with many dreams should be able to write with a pencil in a white notebook instead of on the dirt floor, and read books that will help them dream of a hopeful future. For that you need a school.
We will help children achieve their dreams through continuous education support campaigns so that more children can have educational opportunities. We need the interest and support of our sponsors along the way. Please join WECA!
