We are delighted to announce the launch of our latest project, “Providing Access to Safe Quality Education for Vulnerable Conflict-Affected Children in Borno State, Northeast Nigeria.” in collaboration with Jesuit Refugee Service. With funding support from the European Civil Protection & Humanitarian Aid Operations ECHO, we are set to make a significant impact on the lives of thousands of children in the region.
Northeast Nigeria has been grappling with a prolonged crisis, leaving many communities devastated by insurgency, climate change, and economic hardships. The closure of camps in Maiduguri and Jere resulted in an influx of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), creating a strain on already limited social services.
Our focus lies on the hard-to-reach areas of Dikwa and Monguno Local Government Areas, where conflict and limited humanitarian presence pose immense challenges.
The core objective is to provide safe and quality education to school-aged IDPs, returnees, and children from the host community, aged between 6 and 17. This endeavor will empower 23,442 individuals, with a special emphasis on vulnerable groups such as girls, young women, and children with disabilities.
To achieve our mission, Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) and CATAI will work diligently to enroll and support these children. This includes providing formal education to 18,905 school-aged children, with non-formal education opportunities for 4,170 more. For married school-aged girls in secondary school, we will establish school crèches to offer day-care and early years learning for their young children, ensuring that they can attend classes without barriers.
In addition to education, we recognize the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children affected by conflict. Therefore, we will integrate psycho-social and protection elements into our education in emergencies (EIE) intervention. This includes training teachers and implementing community outreach programs to promote protection and psychosocial support. We will also advocate for the Nigeria Safe School Declaration in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education, Borno State College of Education, and Borno State Universal Basic Education Board.
Parents of the most vulnerable children and spouses of young girls who wish to return to school will receive life skills training and support through income-generating activity (IGA) startup kits. This comprehensive approach will ensure that both children and spouses can pursue education without sacrificing their well-being.
With this project, our overarching goal is to restore and maintain access to safe and quality education in conflict-affected, hard-to-reach areas for school-aged children in Borno State. By providing inclusive learning opportunities and promoting protection, water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices, we aim to empower these children and pave the way for a brighter future.
Together with JRS, we are fostering hope, resilience, and positive change in the lives of those who need it the most. Join us in this journey of transformation!
