June Monthly Highlights from Children on the Edge

10/7/2023

3 mins read time

We’ve just kicked off our brand new virtual challenge - Summer Steps for Refugees - but as we step into July, we wanted to look back and share some of the stories and achievements from last month.

Read on to find out about the resilience of the Nagarpur community as they rallied together to build a temporary learning centre after the area was bulldozed, Harley’s brilliant banana fundraiser and how cluster learners in Kyaka II are thriving at primary school.

Nagarpur community rallies to build a temporary learning centre.

The Dalit communities we support in Patna live with the constant threat of eviction. Despite having nowhere else to go, the authorities consider that they live on the land illegally and regularly bulldoze whole slum areas, with no notice. When the children of Nagarpur community heard that the railway police were on the way to flatten the area, they ran to the learning centre to rescue their learning materials and artwork before the centre was completely destroyed.

Three learning centres in the area were bulldozed by the railway police. In a short space of time, these centres had become an integral part of the community, so the children and their families rallied together, building a temporary structure, so that the children can continue their learning until new centres can be built in the area.

Find out how we are reaching the most marginalised Dalit communities

Harley’s brilliant banana fundraiser

As school exam season got started, Glebelands student Harley had a brilliant idea to give the students little boost for their exams, whilst supporting Children on the Edge (Glebelands nominated school charity) at the same time. He bought bunches of bananas which he sold outside the exam halls for a donation to Children on the Edge. His entrepreneurial idea was a hit with the students and Harley is already planning to run his banana stall again next year!

Find out how your school can support Children on the Edge

Cluster learners are thriving at primary school

Our pioneering cluster learning approach in Kyaka II is helping thousands of the youngest Congolese refugee children access early years education in the settlement. We were were delighted when, earlier this year, well over 500 (46%) top class learners from our cluster groups enrolled in primary schools across the five zones of the settlment where we work. This is in spite of a lack of primary provision in the settlement, which prevents many children from attending.

The cluster learners have already made a big impact in their new schools with one headteacher telling us;

“The impact Children on the Edge Africa has created is huge and was unexpected. The general observations and assessment reports made by the teachers also show that the quality of learners is different. They are very active and interested in learning compared to previous years. The Cluster Learning Approach coupled with teacher training is a ‘game changer’. As children are able to access early years learning and the teachers are trained, the impact is marvellous! Please continue supporting this!”