Education as the key to change

Today is the “International Day of Education”.

I still remember the beginning of my education very well: starting school. I would like to use this day to remember the following figures – realities:

• Approximately 263 million children and young people do not attend school.
• 
  Worldwide, there are approx. 750 million young people and adults who cannot read and write.
  2/3 of them are women.
• 
  60% of girls in southern Africa have dropped out of high school. Often because of early pregnancies, domestic violence and a lack of awareness.

The pandemic has made the numbers even higher. More children who do not attend school, more young people who drop out and schoolchildren who are also unable to participate in “homeschooling” without a laptop or other technical means… The children we support mostly live in small huts without water, without electricity and often with more than 10 people in one room. No one has access to the internet, and the teachers do not have the necessary skills to make “homeschooling” continuously possible for the children. At the beginning of January, schools in Namibia started again and began a new school year – I am pleased that we 16 new Schutzengel children were able to welcome them at our partner project Ileni Tulikwafeni in Okahandja. 

Guardian angel children

The steps for children foundation enables over 3.500 children and young people in Namibia and Zimbabwe to attend preschool, kindergarten or afternoon classes.  steps gives children and young adults in Namibia and Zimbabwe a future through education and training and empowers them to break the cycle of poverty through their own efforts. The first guardian angel children have already completed their secondary school diploma and are studying in Windhoek. This is sustainable education and gives them the chance of a self-determined future.  Become a guardian angel now and join us on International Day of Education in supporting severely disadvantaged children. I wish you a successful day, with one or two lovely memories from your school days.
 
Best wishes
Dr. Michael Hoppe
Founder steps for childre

Become a guardian angel on Education Day