One of the most powerful ‘solutions to poverty’ is perhaps one of the most obvious: Education. The challenge is that this solution remains inaccessible to millions of families today.
Throughout history, influential thinkers, from Plato and Aristotle to leaders like Nelson Mandela, have concurred that ‘education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.’*
Hassan, a young man in Lebanon, exemplifies this sentiment. For him, participation in our Christian Partner’s education center opened doors to opportunities that were unimaginable when his single mother withdrew him from school at a young age.
‘Education is the most powerful weapon to change the world.’ —Nelson Mandela
Lebanon’s Education Crisis
Growing up in a Syrian refugee camp, survival was the daily focus for Hassan’s family. Globally, 244 million children face a similar fate, robbed of an education and a future due to complex barriers like hunger, poverty, war, political unrest, displacement, and marginalisation. COVID and school closures worsened this inequity, pushing millions out of school. Sadly, in some cases never to return.
This crisis is acutely felt in Lebanon, where 80 per cent of the population are living in poverty, and multiple factors have led to falling education rates. The impact of COVID, economic collapse, soaring living costs, and widespread unemployment have forced parents to choose between educating their children, or pulling them out of school so the family can afford the necessities.
A 2021 UN survey of 2,090 households found 15 per cent of families—parents like Hassan’s mother—had to stop their child’s education. Furthermore, one in ten families (and one in four Syrian refugee families) have been forced to send their children to work as a way of surviving.
1 in 10 families have been forced to send their children to work as a way of surviving.
When education is disrupted, children are at greater risk of harmful practices like child labour. If the trend continues in a community, it can lead to a lost generation.
Dismantling Barriers
Thankfully, this is not Hassan’s story. Our Christian Partners are focused on the next generation as the key to lifting communities out of poverty and fostering a sustainable future. They are dismantling barriers preventing access to education for children around the world.
Our Christian Partners are focused on the next generation as the key to lifting communities out of poverty and fostering a sustainable future.
Hassan attended our Partner’s education centre, which set him up for further vocational training. Finding work at a local factory, Hassan soon became a valued employee. He was earning commendations for his work ethic and dedication as he developed his skills as a carpenter. He even returned to build furniture for the center, ‘My first task was to make a few classroom tables, then I was asked to make more than 100 tables for students in the home tutoring program!’ said Hassan, smiling with pride. ‘As compensation, I earned a considerable sum of money for the first time in my life.’
Hassan has become a role model, sharing carpentry expertise, and learning English, computer skills, math, and life skills. He was always a capable young man. But now, with support, he’s building a business and a sustainable future.
‘I’m forever grateful for the opportunity to show the world what I’m capable of,’ Hassan said.
Sadly, for millions of families, school is out of reach. But our local Christian Partners are at work with effective programs that are proven to improve education outcomes for vulnerable children. And our Child Sponsorship model goes even further. Child Sponsorship means we can work with parents and communities to create supportive networks that benefit children, families and whole communities-now and for generations. Our data shows that one sponsorship = 35 lives positively impacted!
Join us in championing education through Child Sponsorship. Become a Sponsor today.
