JOINT ACHIEVEMENTS FOR CHILDREN: UNICEF AND ECHO OPEN TEMPORARY LEARNING SPACES ON WORLD CHILDREN’S DAY
To mark the 35th anniversary of World Children’s Day, commemorating the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, UNICEF and the European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) visited several interventions to witness firsthand their impact on children affected by the ongoing crisis in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions. These joint efforts reflect a commitment to providing crisis-affected children with access to education, protection, and essential water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services, ensuring no child is left behind.
Over the past few years, UNICEF, with support from ECHO, has focused on addressing the multifaceted humanitarian needs in education for children in these regions. By adopting a multi-sectoral approach, UNICEF integrates education with WASH services, as well as child protection initiatives. This approach ensures that children not only have access to learning but also benefit from a safe and inclusive environment that promotes their overall well-being.
The field visits began with a trip to Mispa and Tambang, where UNICEF and its implementing partners, Green Partners Association (GPA) and Global Community Rescue (GCR), have constructed new Temporary Learning Spaces (TLS) and gender-sensitive latrines. These facilities were designed to accommodate a variety of learning initiatives, including the Radio Learning Program and the CARED program, which aim to reintegrate out-of-school children to access education.
At the heart of UNICEF’s efforts is ensuring every child can access quality education. Through this initiative, 54,520 children will be provided with learning materials, and 16,320 children will have access to formal or non-formal education, including early learning. In addition, 662 teachers will be trained to support children’s psychosocial needs and disaster risk reduction strategies, while 302 facilitators will be equipped to address diverse learning needs.
UNICEF’s WASH interventions complement education efforts by ensuring children and their communities access safe water and hygiene facilities. UNICEF targets 84 gender-sensitive sanitation facilities to be constructed or rehabilitated, alongside 12 water points to be established in schools and TLS. These efforts empower communities with knowledge of proper hygiene practices and establish sustainability mechanisms, such as WASH sub-committees.
Muhammad Idrees, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office, reflected on the progress of the initiative:
“In my opinion, we are on track with the project. We invested significant time in the planning stage, a critical aspect of UNICEF’s implementation strategies. Now, with everything in place, we are ready to move forward efficiently, ensuring the best outcomes for children. Your visit today, on World Children’s Day, is timely as it provides an opportunity to gather your insights on how we can strengthen our work for the children.”
In Mispa, representatives from ECHO and UNICEF interacted with children participating in the Radio Learning Program. They also inspected the newly constructed latrines to ensure their inclusivity, particularly for children with disabilities, underscoring UNICEF’s commitment to creating equitable learning environments. Parents shared their experiences with the Positive Parenting sessions facilitated by Caritas Bamenda, a UNICEF implementing partner.
The visit continued to Tambang, a predominantly Muslim community where over 70% of residents are committed to supporting children’s education. The community’s quarter head expressed gratitude for the new learning facilities and pledged active collaboration to ensure children can access the education they need.
“There are so many vulnerable children here who dropped out of school due to the crisis or financial difficulties. With this learning space and the various training courses on child protection and responsible parenting, we see a path forward. We ask for continued support to address more challenges, as this space has become a gateway to solving broader issues in our community,” said the quarter head at Tambang.
Parents in the community also shared their personal stories of transformation. Pascaline, a parent whose child is benefiting from the TLS and Radio Learning Program, expressed her gratitude:
“Before this learning space was created, children were roaming the streets without attending school. Now, they are back to learning, and it’s going well. My child couldn’t read or do simple calculations before, but now, thanks to the program, he’s making remarkable progress. I am truly grateful to UNICEF and ECHO for what they are doing in our community.”
UNICEF and ECHO remain steadfast in their commitment to providing education opportunities for crisis-affected children. These programs align closely with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the theme of this year’s World Children’s Day, “Listen to the Future.” Together, they aim to create safe and inclusive learning environments, strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders to support vulnerable children and improve education access, retention, and outcomes. Through this collaboration, thousands of children and their families are witnessing a brighter future take shape.
A visiting representative from ECHO Muhameda Tulumovic expressed heartfelt gratitude to the UNICEF team, reaffirming ECHO’s unwavering commitment to supporting children. She highlighted the shared mission with UNICEF to help children who have missed school due to ongoing challenges, emphasizing why ECHO actively collaborates with UNICEF and its partners to provide critical support.
“During our recent visit to the field with UNICEF on World Children’s Day, we saw children smiling with hope, filled with dreams for their future. They told us how happy they are to be back in school and shared what they want to become when they grow up. It’s moments like these that show why we must work together to help more children access quality education and a better future.” she shared, her words echoing the collective vision for children’s empowerment.
In a nutshell, UNICEF and ECHO’s efforts showcase the transformative impact of collaboration, providing children with the tools and opportunities to rebuild their lives amidst the challenges of crisis. However, while significant strides have been made, much more remains to be done. Thousands of children still lack access to education, protection, and basic services. The commitment of partners, communities, and donors must remain unwavering to ensure that every child, no matter their circumstances, has the chance to thrive. Together, we can turn the promise of a better future into a reality for every child in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions.
Parents in the community also shared their personal stories of transformation. Pascaline, a parent whose child is benefiting from the TLS and Radio Learning Program, expressed her gratitude:
“Before this learning space was created, children were roaming the streets without attending school. Now, they are back to learning, and it’s going well. My child couldn’t read or do simple calculations before, but now, thanks to the program, he’s making remarkable progress. I am truly grateful to UNICEF and ECHO for what they are doing in our community.”
UNICEF and ECHO remain steadfast in their commitment to providing education opportunities for crisis-affected children. These programs align closely with the principles of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the theme of this year’s World Children’s Day, “Listen to the Future.” Together, they aim to create safe and inclusive learning environments, strengthen the capacity of key stakeholders to support vulnerable children and improve education access, retention, and outcomes. Through this collaboration, thousands of children and their families are witnessing a brighter future take shape.
A visiting representative from ECHO Muhameda Tulumovic expressed heartfelt gratitude to the UNICEF team, reaffirming ECHO’s unwavering commitment to supporting children. She highlighted the shared mission with UNICEF to help children who have missed school due to ongoing challenges, emphasizing why ECHO actively collaborates with UNICEF and its partners to provide critical support.
“During our recent visit to the field with UNICEF on World Children’s Day, we saw children smiling with hope, filled with dreams for their future. They told us how happy they were to be back in school and shared what they wanted to become when they grew up. It’s moments like these that show why we must work together to help more children access quality education and a better future.” she shared, her words echoing the collective vision for children’s empowerment.
In a nutshell, UNICEF and ECHO’s efforts showcase the transformative impact of collaboration, providing children with the tools and opportunities to rebuild their lives amidst the challenges of crisis. However, while significant strides have been made, much more remains to be done. Thousands of children still lack access to education, protection, and basic services. The commitment of partners, communities, and donors must remain unwavering to ensure that every child, no matter their circumstances, has the chance to thrive. Together, we can turn the promise of a better future into a reality for every child in Cameroon’s North-West and South-West regions.
#ForEveryChild, Hope
