How does Horyzon provide access to education?

Sasa Gilbert 3

Although access to education is guaranteed to all people by international law, the reality is still far from that.

For example, in Sustainable Development Goal 4.6, the United Nations aims for all youth (aged 15-24) to be literate and numerate by 2030. However, 102 million young people, or 9% of the world's population between the ages of 15 and 24, still lack basic literacy skills. "Education for all" is thus a major - but not impossible - challenge that Horyzon addresses through its youth education projects.

By promoting sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable youth and education for marginalised youth, Horyzon contributes to the formation of just and inclusive societies. Horyzon supports youth education in development programmes at four levels:

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In this article, we present the first level in more detail:

Promoting access to education

In our programmes, emphasis is placed on providing participants with a safe place where they can receive tutoring and build their school knowledge. In addition, young people with trauma are supported in their reintegration into regular school. The programme content in building school skills and strengthening them has a positive impact on attendance and prevents school dropouts.

The YWCA Youth Centre in Haiti provides tutoring for girls so that they can pursue their school activities together with their teachers and mentors. The girls also receive professional psychological support and a hot meal. In addition, the girls and young women can take part in the annual summer camp and escape from their everyday lives for eight weeks, as well as deepen their knowledge and apply it through play.

In South Sudan, girls from the poorest social classes are far more likely than girls from more privileged households to become pregnant before their 18th birthday. Adolescent pregnancies often result in the girls not completing their school education and experiencing economic difficulties. For this reason, the "My Body, My Right, My Future" Horyzon programme teaches adolescents what sexual and health rights they have and what family planning methods they can use. Through better access to contraceptives and hygiene products, corresponding taboos are broken down, unwanted adolescent pregnancies are prevented and the participation of young people in school is strengthened. These activities prevent school dropouts and help children who have not been able to complete their school education to resume it.

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