Poverty is the largest barrier to education in West Africa. Poor families cannot afford the cost of sending their child to school. Without hope of learning to read and write, children are stuck in cycles of poverty. This project will empower 50 mothers in Kenema in Eastern Sierra Leone to keep their children in school by tackling family poverty. We will give them a business grant and training to set up a business so they can afford the cost of educating their children.
West Africa is facing an education crisis. Thousands of children in West Africa do not have the chance to go to school. A recent UNICEF study estimated that there are 89,000 out of school children between the ages of 6-14 in the Eastern province of Sierra Leone and that 23% of secondary school pupils are at risk of dropping out. It has the country's lowest learning outcomes. Groups at particular risk include children from the poorest households.
In line with Street Child's commitment to leaving no child behind, the project will focus on supporting these children to go to school and have hope for a brighter future. Household poverty is one of the primary barriers stopping children going to school. Parents cannot afford the associated costs of sending their child to school. This project will support 50 caregivers, primarily women, to develop a sustainable source of income by setting up a business.
We will empower 50 mothers to break free from poverty and ensure their children can access education. When children are given the chance to learn, they can build a brighter future for their families, their communities and their countries. Every child deserves that chance.
