Youth Education: A Stepping Stone to Success
At the end of 2013, over 114 million children between primary school and age 15 were without an education. That is equivalent to about 10% of the population for that age group. Although that may not seem like a lot, this number means more than a statistic to the children who are part of that 10%. To those children, education is wealth. It is power. It is everything unattainable that could better their lives of poverty.
In the article “An Effort to Keep Girls in School and Out of Marriage, in Sierra Leone”, Indrias Kassaye from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund(UNICEF) describes Hajah Conteh, from Sierra Leone, who had dropped out of school at the age of 15. When her mother could no longer financially support schoolwork, Conteh had met a man and made an agreement. Their deal was: He would pay for her education, but when finished they would marry. All seemed fine, until she had unintentionally gotten pregnant. From there, Conteh was kicked out of school and forced to marry the man as she saw it as her only option. Her school had a rule against pregnant women attending. Feeling saddened by her loss of a bright future, Conteh had said, “If I had the chance to do it again, I would continue with my schooling.” Conteh was one of the 11,000 pregnant woman under the age of 17 in Sierra Leone as of the recent Ebola outbreak. Furthering teen and youth education could have changed Conteh’s life into one she can only dream of now.
UNICEF aides in humanitarian efforts throughout the world. Since the aftermath of WWII, December 11th, 1946, UNICEF prioritizes human protection, rights, health, and most importantly youth education. Working throughout the world, UNICEF helps millions of children in search or need of education. UNICEF works directly under the United Nations (UN) while partnering with many countries and other organizations to accomplish their goals. Although UNICEF does not directly accept volunteers, it is possible to work for UNICEF indirectly with years of work experience and an undergraduate degree. To support UNICEF in any, way visit the website or search support UNICEF.
Youth education is more than essential. It is a requirement. Without education, the children of today will never become the leaders of tomorrow. That is why this is an issue that demands attention. The lack of education in today's youths will not only impact the current children but also the people who will have to live in that world. Something needs to change. People across the world need to help brighten the future by enlightening the children.
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Works Cited
"About Us." UNICEF. UNICEF, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2016. <http://www.unicef.org/about/>.
Kassaye, Indrias G. "An Effort to Keep Girls in School and out of Marriage, in Sierra Leone." UNICEF. UNICEF, 22 Jan. 2016. Web. 18 Feb. 2016. <http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sierraleone_89948.html>.
"Out-of-School Children Initiative." UNICEF. UNICEF, 7 July 2015. Web. 06 Mar. 2016.