INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION DAY

School at Casamance (Senegal)

International Education Day, celebrated on January 24, is a key date to reflect on the fundamental role of education in social transformation and global development.

In the African context, where the lack of access to quality education is still a reality for many children and young people, this day reminds us of the importance of investing, in the broadest sense of the word, in education to break the cycle of poverty and foster opportunities for the future.

At the KASSUMAY FOUNDATION, which works in Casamance, in southern Senegal, we are witnesses to the great need for action to improve education in these vulnerable areas. Many African communities still struggle with barriers such as the lack of school infrastructure, the insufficiency of educational materials and, in many cases, the difficulty of access to education for girls and boys of school age. These difficulties are exacerbated by gender inequalities and emergency situations, such as armed conflicts or health crises. We would like to emphasize that in recent times we have been victims of the armed conflict that has occurred in the area, which has meant the loss of infrastructure, material of all kinds and obviously the school population of the area has also been affected.

International Education Day offers us an opportunity to highlight the importance of building inclusive and equitable schools that provide quality education for everyone, regardless of their background or socioeconomic status.

The KASSUMAY FOUNDATION works constantly to provide the communities in the area with the necessary resources to overcome these barriers, promoting access to adequate schools, being in contact with local teachers who guarantee an inclusive education for girls and boys. Also, within the field of education we support women by promoting training programs in the field of vegetable gardens and the conservation and transformation of local horticultural products with the aim of promoting their consumption at home and the surplus in the local market.

We aim for the results of our work to be manifested day by day, and for the young African generations to overcome obstacles and change their lives through education. Especially girls, who are often excluded, to be able to graduate, access professional training and actively contribute to their villages.

We want education to not only mean acquiring academic knowledge, but also learning practical skills that can improve living conditions and promote local and sustainable development.

For all this, it is essential to continue working on education as a tool for social change and transformation. On International Education Day, we call on international institutions, local governments and civil society organizations to strengthen their commitments to education in Africa.

Together, we can contribute to a more just and equal future for all people. Education is the key to opening the doors to development and prosperity.