A UNICEF programme, funded by Education Cannot Wait and partners, helps flood-affected children return to school and improves school resilience to climate shocks in Kenya
/PRNewswire/ –In central Kilifi County, where memories of a devastating flood still linger, the sound of children’s voices once again fills the air. Just a year ago, Tunzanani Primary School was submerged under catastrophic floods, leaving a landscape of destruction.
Margaret, 13, in class in Kilifi County, Kenya. © UNICEF Kenya/Paul Kidero
For 13-year-old Margaret and 12-year-old Gabriel, torrential rains and subsequent flooding in Kenya threatened to end their dreams of completing their studies and pursuing science. His classmates witnessed how their school, in the path of the flood, was destroyed. Their studies, hopes and future seemed to fade because of the flood.
But even when the waters washed away their books and materials, the community’s determination to keep learning afloat endured. Thanks to funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW) y Postcode Education Trusta UNICEF program ensures that Margaret, Gabriel and children affected by the crisis in the country can continue their education.
Kenya is on the front line of the climate crisis. The effects of floods, prolonged droughts and other climate hazards create enormous obstacles to a better future.
Before the flood, which was caused by heavy rains from El Niño, destroyed the school grounds, Margaret and Gabriel were striving to achieve their dreams. Margaret aspired 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 road to the school, and many families, already dealing with the aftermath of the disaster, could not afford the basic expenses to send their children back.
Presenting a rapid response to the crisis, the program helped children return to school, providing them with much-needed resources, such as school bags, teaching materials and even water cisterns, to ensure a constant supply of clean water to students and teachers. Tunzanani Elementary School is now filled with students who dream of making a significant impact in their community.
“When I grow up, I want to be a scientist and work in the medical field to create medicines for people,” said Gabriel, 12.
Margaret has also benefited from the program’s comprehensive support. Like many girls her age, she faced the challenge of managing menstruation without access to proper sanitary products. Her family’s financial situation was an obstacle, and she remembers a merchant’s refusal to sell sanitary pads on credit, as her family had other outstanding debts.
“When I got my period, I ran home to buy sanitary pads, but my mother couldn’t afford them. I am grateful that my school, along with the support of UNICEF, provided them to us,” Margaret said.
For her, this small but significant help meant the difference between continuing her education and being forced to miss valuable school days.
School management has received training in mental health and psychosocial support to strengthen their ability to support students and teachers experiencing stress and trauma caused by emergencies. The focus on capacity development has also extended to disaster risk reduction and response preparedness for future climate-induced disasters.
Millions of people in Kenya are facing a serious humanitarian crisis as a result of the longest drought the country has suffered in 40 years. The situation has been exacerbated by devastating floods early last year, which caused widespread destruction and left countless communities struggling to recover.
According to the report Global Estimates According to ECW, approximately 50% of school-age children affected by the crisis worldwide live in sub-Saharan Africa, the sub-region facing the most complex challenges in ensuring the right to education for all children.
Vice Principal Peninah Gambo expressed her gratitude for this comprehensive support received: “We appreciate this support during these difficult times. This gesture of generosity has had a significant impact on our school, ensuring that students have access to essential resources and an uninterrupted education.”
As the community rebuilds, the future for children like Margaret and Gabriel remains hopeful. The goal now is not just recovery, but also sustainability, ensuring that schools like Tunzanani are better prepared for future challenges, whether floods, droughts or other climate disasters.
But this work is far from over.
The floods in Kenya are a stark reminder of how climate change affects communities around the world. Support for children affected by crises such as Margaret and Gabrielmust continue, ensuring that education remains accessible despite obstacles. In the face of a disaster, education is not only a right, but a fundamental tool to develop resilience, create opportunities and prepare future generations to function in a constantly changing world.
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