In this country, refugees are not allowed to access the local education system, so they are left to find options that are set up by their own community and/or NGO (Non-Government Organizations) or charities.
Currently in our area there are about 8 learning centers that are providing education to approximately 1000 refugee children. It is estimated that there are still 5,000 school-aged refugee children in our area that cannot access any education.
In asking around this year about space for new students at learning centers, two learning centers responded that they have a waiting list of over 100 students and can admit no more due to lack of space and teachers.
Earlier this week I had a conversation with one of my refugee teachers regarding her own children – ages 9, 8 and 10 months.
She said her 9-year-old son was accepted to a learning center, but she could not find a place for her 8-year-old daughter to attend. Her cry of “I want my daughter to go to a school – she deserves this!” was heart- breaking as the magnitude of this reality really struck home.”
So many children with no access to any education.
Miracles do happen – a few days later, my refugee teacher texted me and told me the learning center had called and offered her daughter a spot in the school for this year!
My response to her was – Praise God – maybe He does hear our prayers! She thanked me again for praying that God would help her. It is like God Sees her and knows her needs. She is not forgotten. Hope. It changes everything.
Pray for:
-the teachers of refugees and their daily challenges.
-consistent and reliable funding sources for refugee learning centers so teachers and rental can be paid without disruption.
-increased education opportunities for refugee children