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INTENTION : |
For the right to an education.
Let us pray for migrants, refugees and those affected by war, that their right to an education, which is necessary to build a better world, might always be respected.
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Rebuilding Hope Through Education
Every child has the right to education: this is a principle enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and affirmed most recently by the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4 which calls for universal access to quality educational opportunities.
The right to education does not cease to exist when a child is on the move, and it should not vanish even in a place with few resources or systems, such as refugee camps, informal settlements, or temporary living spaces. When children have fled across borders and find themselves in a new country, their right to education is protected by a legal framework, the 1951 Refugee Convention, and affirmed by multilateral commitments, such as the 2016 Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework (CRRF).
The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is committed to ensuring that children who are forced to flee their homes and communities are not deprived of their right to education and their path to a hopeful and productive future. Education provides stability and a sense of normalcy; it engenders hope while preparing refugees to meet future challenges.
With the skills and knowledge provided by education, refugees find it easier to integrate into new communities. In regions devastated by war and endemic violence, a skilled, educated population is vital for the reconstruction and long-term development of both host countries and countries of origin.
When refugees contribute to economic development, the wealth of the entire community can increase: the new goods and services that are offered create jobs and products valued by all. The creation of new revenue and opportunities for both host and refugee communities contributes to the integration of refugees into a society.
Here is the story of how a displaced teacher in Myanmar rebuilds hope in her journey:
"I am 33 years old and have been displaced in Myanmar with my family and daughters since the middle of 2021. When the soldiers came to our village, we were all scared. At midnight, we fled to a nearby monastery with no light because we were afraid that if we used the light, they would target us. We stayed in the dark the whole night," said a young woman* displaced in Myanmar.
In February 2021, a military coup and the resulting conflicts plunged Myanmar into a severe humanitarian crisis, forever altering the lives of thousands of people.
"As the crowd was getting bigger, the monastery was no longer safe for us, we had to flee again." Together with her mother and two daughters, she made her way to the village where some of their relatives lived.
"It was challenging for all of us to reach our relatives, we had no electricity and did not know how to contact them. What guided us was the twinkling light of the stars in the sky. We had to spend two nights and three days travelling. We felt so hungry and lonely," she commented. Rebuilding a life in the new community was not easy. "It was a big challenge to find a place to stay in the village. After discussions, the community arranged for us to set up a camp in the forest. However, I had no income as there was no available job in the camp, and the money I had saved was not enough to support the whole family. I hated my situation, without food, friends, clothes to wear, and water to drink. I felt very sad when I heard that our houses in our village were burnt down. At that time, no more peace, warmth, or forgiveness could come out of my mind."
They spent eight months in the camp before finally moving to her aunt's house, where they found a safer refuge. "The support I received from the local community gave me the energy to keep moving forward. Now, we encourage each other in the camp. We share what we have. I feel like part of a big family in the camp, together with the host community."
She serves as a volunteer teacher, offering children the opportunity to continue their education, which would otherwise be severely compromised by the conflict and constant displacement. "Sharing knowledge with students helps me forget my pain and the loneliness of living in displacement. On the other hand, I am very happy that the students can continue their education."
"I wish this crisis would end very soon and we could live in peace with a brighter future, and I wish to go home to my village," she concluded.
In the face of the many challenges of forced displacement, we can find hope and strength walking alongside our displaced brothers and sisters and witnessing their outstanding resilience.
*the name is not mentioned to protect the identity of the woman.
*this article was originally published by JRS Asia Pacific.
Source: https://jrs.net/en/programme/education/#:~:text=In%20JRS%20we%20believe%20that,a%20hopeful%20and%20productive%20future
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