Funded by Education Cannot Wait and partners, the UNICEF program is helping flood-affected children in Kenya go back to school and strengthening schools’ resilience to climate disasters.
/PRNewswire/ — In the heart of Kilifi County, where memories of a devastating flood are still present, the laughter of children is once again filling the air. Exactly one year ago, Tunzanani Primary School was inundated by a catastrophic flood, leaving a landscape of destruction in its wake.
Margaret, 13, in class in Kilifi County, Kenya. © UNICEF Kenya/Paul Kidero
For 13-year-old Margaret and 12-year-old Gabriel, the torrential rain and subsequent floods in Kenya threatened to destroy their dreams of completing their education and pursuing a career in science. The classmates had to watch as their school, which was in the path of the flood, was destroyed. Their education, their hopes and their future seemed to disappear beneath the waves.
But even though the flood washed away their books and school supplies, the community’s determination to continue learning remained unbroken. Thanks to funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW) (translated: “Education can’t wait”) and the charity Postcode Education Trust A UNICEF program ensures that Margaret, Gabriel and other children affected by the crisis in the country can continue their education.
Kenya is at the forefront of the climate crisis. The impacts of floods, prolonged droughts and other climate hazards pose massive obstacles to a better future.
Before flooding – a result of heavy El Niño rains – destroyed the school grounds, Margaret and Gabriel worked hard to make their dreams come true. Margaret wanted to be an ophthalmologist, while Gabriel dreamed of working as a scientist.
Unfortunately, their education came to a halt after the classrooms at Tunzanani Primary School were severely damaged. A river blocked the path to their school, and many families already struggling with the aftermath of the disaster could not afford the basic supplies to send their children back to school.
The program responded quickly to the crisis and helped get children back to school by providing much-needed resources such as school bags, learning and teaching materials, and even water tanks to ensure a steady supply of clean water for students and teachers. Tunzanani Elementary School is now full of students who dream of making a meaningful contribution to their community.
“When I grow up, I want to be a scientist and work in medicine to develop medicines for people,” says 12-year-old Gabriel.
Margaret has also benefited from the program’s holistic support. Like many girls her age, she faced the challenge of managing her period without access to proper hygiene products. Her family’s financial situation was a hindrance, and she remembers a shopkeeper refusing to sell her pads on credit because her family already had other debts.
“When I got my period, I rushed home to get sanitary pads, but my mother couldn’t afford them. I’m grateful that my school, with the support of UNICEF, provides these for us,” says Margaret. For them, this small but important measure meant the difference between continuing their education and being forced to miss valuable days of school.
School leadership has received training in mental health and psychosocial support to strengthen their ability to support students and teachers suffering from the stress and trauma caused by emergencies. The focus on capacity building was also expanded to include disaster preparedness and preparedness for future climate-related disasters.
Millions of people in Kenya are facing a severe humanitarian crisis due to the longest drought in 40 years. The situation was further exacerbated by devastating floods early last year, which caused widespread destruction and left countless communities struggling.
According to the ECW report Global Estimates Approximately 50% of crisis-affected school-age children worldwide live in sub-Saharan Africa, the subregion that faces the most complex challenges in ensuring the right to education for every child.
Deputy Principal Peninah Gambo expressed her gratitude for this holistic support: “We are grateful for this support during these difficult times. This kind gesture has made a significant impact on our school and ensured that students have access to important resources and an uninterrupted education.”
As the community rebuilds, the future of children like Margaret and Gabriel remains hopeful. The goal now is not just reconstruction, but also sustainability, so that schools like Tunzanani are better prepared for future challenges, be they floods, droughts or other climate-related disasters.
But this work is far from finished.
The floods in Kenya are a stark reminder of how climate change is affecting communities around the world. Support for children affected by crises such as Margaret and Gabriel must continue to ensure that education remains accessible despite all obstacles. In the face of disaster, education is not just their right – it is a critical tool for building resilience, creating opportunities and preparing future generations to navigate a rapidly changing world
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2851284/Education_Cannot_Wait_kenya.jpg
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1656121/Education_Cannot_Wait_Logo.jpg