International Day of Education 2024
Wars and wounds inflicted by armed violence have left an indelible mark on the communities of Mozambique. In this challenging context, Helder and Ana, two children from the province of Tete, represent the strength and hope of those who dream of a better future. Their story, symbolized by a pencil, a sheet of paper, and a wooden stool, reflects the determination to overcome adversities and build an educational path despite the challenges.
The escape to Malawi was the only option for many families in the area, forced to leave their homes due to war. Schools in the area were closed, depriving children of the right to education. “When they signed the peace agreement, we could finally go back home and to school,” they told us, smiling.
The signing of peace in 2019 marked a crucial moment, allowing Helder and Ana to return home, go back to school, and resume their education. This event underscores the crucial importance of resolving armed conflicts to ensure the right to education for all, especially children whose future is often threatened by violence.
Stories of rebirth are not only individual but also reflect the broader social fabric. Rita Saimon’s testimony, a mother in the Bárué district, Manica province, speaks of hope in the future that her children’s education can bring. “You see, today we can cultivate without fear, we can feed our children enough before they go to school every morning,” Mrs. Rita told us.
Peace has made it possible to cultivate without fear, ensuring adequate sustenance before children go to school every morning. “This gives me confidence that their future will be different from mine, and they will take care of me in my old age if they study and find a good job,” commented Mrs. Rita, who knows neither the word hatred nor revenge. “All this is possible because there is peace, and we work as one community, and that’s what we teach our children.”
Since the signing of the Maputo Peace Agreement on August 6, 2019, for peacebuilding and national reconciliation, progress has also been made through the DELPAZ program – funded by the European Union, implemented by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) in the provinces of Manica and Tete; by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) in the Sofala province, with the participation of UNCDF – to strengthen peace consolidation. The program is committed to supporting local communities in building peaceful and sustainable societies, allowing them to develop their problem-solving skills calmly and reflectively.
The premise that all this can be achieved is to equip communities with adequate knowledge and, above all, ensure that children grow up in safe environments and receive proper education.
With the establishment of peace, human rights can be exercised more effectively, including the right to education.
On this day dedicated to education and the fight against hate speech, the testimony of Helder, Ana, and Mrs. Rita reminds us that education is a transformative force capable of illuminating the path to a better future, free from hatred and conflict. It is an appeal to building a future based on understanding, tolerance, and awareness of diversity. Only through education can we hope to break the cycle of poverty and contribute to building a peaceful and prosperous society.