Going to school is a fundamental right, but for some vulnerable children, education is a challenge. During the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of children and youngsters worldwide experienced what it means not to have access to school. They missed their friends and teachers. Their education often suffered. Once the restrictions were lifted, they were happy to return as soon as schools opened.
‘When I grow up’: a film by Claire Billet and Olivier Jobard
When Russian troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022, classrooms fell silent. Soon, schools were destroyed by the relentless shelling. Almost a year on, classes have started again, and schools are being rebuilt with EU humanitarian support.
In ‘When I grow up’,3 tenacious young Ukrainians resume their education despite the fighting. By giving them a voice, ‘Education, no matter what’ documents their ambitions and courage in a country devastated by war.
Ukraine is not the only country where access to quality education is disrupted, as this is the case for millions of children caught in many humanitarian crises around the world.
Marie, Hanan, and Sonia are 3 young girls from Burkina Faso, Syria, and Ukraine. They share similar stories despite living in different regions of the world.
Thanks to their inner strength and the EU's humanitarian efforts, today, they are succeeding.
Marie, Hanan, and Sonia are determined to claim their right to education, no matter what.
Discover their video stories to get to know them, their teachers, and friends.
Violent conflicts forced her away from her home in Burkina Faso – which meant leaving her school behind. With EU humanitarian support, a safe learning space has been built so she can keep attending lessons.
Despite her turbulent childhood, Marie would like to become a teacher to help other children who are suffering. To make this dream a reality, Marie requires a safe, constant, and welcoming school where she can build her future.
The war in Syria disrupted her life and forced her to leave school early. EU humanitarian funding helped her access catch-up classes to ensure that she keeps learning.
Thanks to these catch-up classes, Hanan could regain a part of her childhood. She can now continue with her education and pursue her ambition of being a doctor.
Sonia’s classroom was badly damaged during the war in Ukraine. Thanks to EU humanitarian support, her school will be restored to safe conditions.
Getting a good and continuous education is key to helping Sonia fulfil her ambition of being a psychologist. She works hard studying mathematical and scientific subjects such as algebra, geometry, biology, and chemistry to obtain the qualifications she needs to follow this career path.
The war in her country has further strengthened her determination to train in this field.
Raise your hand for education!
Do you believe knowledge is power and want to support Sonia, Marie, and Hanan and their right to education?
Then post a video of yourself on social media with your hand raised.
Use the filter on your mobile to make the message even more powerful – and post it with the hashtag #EducationNoMatterWhat.
Toolkit for schools
About the campaign
Across the world, humanitarian crises threaten to disrupt the education of children and young people.
This is unacceptable. Education is a fundamental human right and a basic need for a better future and more fair societies. It must not be interrupted, no matter how serious the crisis.
Education is the driving force for change: it is powerful and essential. Education should always be possible, no matter what.
Discover more about what the EU is doing to support education in emergencies.
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