To promote this, we have just launched a campaign saying that going back to school may cost very little. Only an additional amount to that spent by the Spanish families to guarantee access to school for their own children.

The difficult context of a refugee camp, the scarce priority given to education in marginal urban areas, the lack of motivated and trained teachers and the lack of school structures and quality materials are some of the main limitations that stop children from their right to a quality education. Entreculturas considers this situation unfair since all people deserve the same opportunities. This is why, with this campaign, we appeal to the capacity of everyone to participate in order to reverse this reality.
A small gesture means a lot. With your help, going back to school in the deprived countries may cost very little...

More and better pedagogical material in schools

"We have never had enough blackboards, chairs or desks. And now we don't have enough classrooms. We have not received new text books. We cannot offer studies if no one takes on the expenses.( books, blackboards, pens, pencils, chalks and the restoration of buildings.) Each term we receive a small suffrage from the Ministry and we only hope it will be increased in order to assist the new students". This was said by a teacher of the primary school of Kisita, Uganda, and it is the reality of many schools. Children need books to learn and these books must be adequate to the culture both in the contents and in the language.

The importance of education in the refugee camps

Schools at the refugee camps not only help with children's education, but they are also a source of stability for the community. Education prevents children from risk behaviours such as drugs, crime and other type of conflicts. Education is often a way to obtain other services. Through education, autonomy is encouraged and leadership abilities are strengthened. It is also a way to transmit simple messages regarding health, nourishment and other fundamental issues for survival. Without well supported activates and services, the refugees and particularly the children and youth, find it very complicated to face the situations of emergency, violence and impact produced by their displacement. For example, students find it difficult to recover their studies if they have been interrupted for a long period of time.

Teachers with adequate training

The lack of training, low salaries, the high rate of students per teacher or AIDS disease are the main challenges to face, regarding teachers. As of training, the statistics speak for themselves. In Tanzania or Cabo Verde 60% of the teachers have only primary school, in Uganda and Togo, only 50% has received specific professional training. Well trained teachers are essential for a quality education.

Alternatives in marginal urban contexts

The marginal urban areas in Latin America are characteristic for the lack of basic services such as health, education, basic sanitary facilities and communication, lack of labour opportunities and high levels of violence. In this situation, the alternative for many youth is to join the "maras" or violent groups that give them company, food and the satisfaction of belonging to a group. To promote the education of this youth is to give them an opportunity to improve their life condition. Thanks to education, they can develop professionally, increase their self esteem and improve the vision of the world they will leave their children.