SILVER SPRING, MD (23 de enero de 2025) – The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) celebrates the International Day of Education by underscoring its ongoing mission to uplift vulnerable communities through the power of education. ADRA’s educational initiatives reached over one million people over the past year across more than 40 countries.
In 2018, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) established January 24 as the annual International Day of Education to recognize the role of learning as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of sustainable development.
“ADRA remains committed to upholding the right to education, especially for the most marginalized children. In regions affected by conflict, displacement, and poverty, we ensure that education is not a privilege but a reality. Through innovative programs, persistent advocacy, and the support of our donors, ADRA creates pathways to learning even in the most challenging environments, ensuring children’s futures are not defined by their circumstances,” says ADRA International’s Vice President for Sustainable Development, Sonya Funna Evelyn.
ADRA’s Notable Projects Worldwide
Supporting Refugees and Displaced Children in Syria and Lebanon
ADRA’s educational programs in Syria and Lebanon provide critical support for refugees and internally displaced children (IDPs), including:
- Educational Support: Providing textbooks, uniforms, and educational kits to
- ensure children are equipped for school.
- Classroom Support: Offering materials to encourage enrollment and retention, and non-formal education to facilitate reintegration.
- School Rehabilitation: Repairing and restoring damaged school buildings to create safe and conducive learning environments.
- Teacher Training: Capacity-building programs focused on psychosocial support and inclusive education techniques.
- Support for Children with Disabilities: Offering assistive hearing aids and teacher training to create inclusive classrooms.
- Non-Formal Education: Remedial and accelerated learning programs for children behind in their studies or out of school.
Expanding Educational Opportunities in Cambodia
ADRA’s continuous educational activities in Cambodia to promote access to learning by expanding facilities and encouraging inclusivity for students, regardless of physical limitations, include:
- New Library: The Pursat Child Sponsorship Program, in collaboration with ADRA Korea and artist Kim Jun Su, funded the new library to offer young readers a valuable resource for learning and exploration.
- Improved School Infrastructure: ADRA renovations expand facilities to accommodate more students and enhance the learning environment.
- Accessible Facilities: ADRA Connections volunteers built new latrines to increase accessibility for children with special needs.
Literacy and Skills Development in Mali
ADRA education programs in Mali that empower internally displaced women (IDPs) to regain stability and self-reliance to support their families include:
- Literacy Classes: Teaching native languages such as Bambara to help women learn to read and write.
- Numeracy and Vocational Training: Offering math classes and soap-making workshops to create new employment opportunities.
- Community Building: Providing events for women to network, form friendships, strengthen community ties, and build support systems for sustainable futures.
Workforce Training and Accelerated Learning in Niger and South Sudan
ADRA’s Non-Formal Education (NFE) programs in Niger and South Sudan, aimed at reaching children who have missed school or never had the opportunity to learn, include:
- Non-Formal Education (NFE): Accelerated learning initiatives to help children catch up on missed schooling in a shorter timeframe.
- Life Skills and Vocational Training: Equipping young people with job-ready skills, developing self-reliance, and preparing them for life after school.
- Teacher Training and Technology Integration: Enhancing educators’ skills and incorporating technology for more innovative and effective learning experiences.
Pathways to Education for Homeless Children in Mexico
ADRA’s Pathways to Education project in Mexico addresses the educational needs of displaced children facing homelessness and instability by providing:
- Formal Education: Primary school for displaced children aged 6-12 living in temporary camps, allowing them to continue their education despite challenging circumstances.
- Non-Formal Education: Creative learning opportunities like music and art programs at local cultural centers.
- Holistic Strategies: Advocacy efforts to help children heal, reduce anxiety, and build coping skills for a brighter future.
“Whether it’s rebuilding schools in conflict zones, providing alternative learning spaces for displaced children, or ensuring inclusive education for children with disabilities, ADRA stands firm in its conviction that every child has the right to learn and reach their full potential, regardless of their background,” asserts ADRA International’s Vice President for Sustainable Development, Sonya Funna Evelyn.
SOBRE ADRA
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency is the international humanitarian arm of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, serving more than 120 countries. Its work empowers communities and changes lives around the globe by providing sustainable community development and disaster relief. ADRA’s purpose is to serve humanity so all may live as God intended. For more information visit ADRA.org.