27 February 2013 –
Poverty, gender inequality, discrimination, disability, distance from school
and exposure to violence, conflict or natural disasters are some of the
obstacles that stand in the way of children getting to school and remaining
there.UNESCO, Veolia Transdev and SIPA PRESS in partnership created a photo
exhibition, called “Journeys to School,” dedicated to the children around the
world who face real challenges in making their daily journey to school,
sometimes at great personal risk, in the hope that their education will lead to
a better life. The exhibit is organized in the framework of the United Nations
Secretary-General's Global Education First Initiative.
«»
© Nichole Sobecki/Sipa, Kenya : Kibera is one of the largest slums of the African
continent, presenting a particularly threatening environment for children going
to school. Every day, Elizabeth Atenio, 6, must cross through it, walking two
hours to the Kibera School for Girls. Despite the introduction of free primary
education in 2003, enrolment in the slums remains a major challenge.
«»
© Alfred Yaghobzadeh/Sipa, India : Thirteen-year-old Barna Momdal lives in a shack on Chetla Road next to the busy and dangerous train tracks of Alipur
train station. Every morning she walks the 40 minutes to the Model school with
her friends. The school, managed by Tomorrow’s Foundation, boasts a 100 percent
attendance rate thanks to innovative teaching methods and strong parental
involvement.
«»
© Olivier Jobard/Sipa), Libya : Children and schools are often the first to suffer the
consequences of armed conflict. Mines and unexploded ordnance pose a continuing
danger to children, including on their way to school. In Misrata, Amal Al
Torchani, 11, attends class in an environment still marked by the fighting.