Education Without Borders #Rohingya

For the last two years, The No Barriers Foundation has worked with schools and charities in developing countries, training teachers and sending classroom resources, as well as dual-language children’s books. We’re doing this because we believe that education is the surest route out of poverty and a child’s chances in life should not depend on geography or gender.

We work across three continents, often in challenging circumstances, but in one part of the world right now there is a crisis that we cannot ignore. Since August last year, nearly 700,000 Rohingya people have fled from their homes in Myanmar in to southern Bangladesh. Their villages have been raided and burnt down, loved ones have been killed, raped or have disappeared without explanation. Where their homes once stood, military bases are being built. This barbarism has all the hallmarks of a genocide and in refugee camps in Bangladesh there are over 500,000 Rohingya children going through a daily battle to survive.

Charities and NGOs are working to provide food, shelter and protection and we are now proudly partnering with one charity in particular – Children on the Edge – who are building temporary learning centres and safe spaces in the camps. We want to support them so they can hire more teachers and resource more learning centres.

The only thing that separates us from the Rohingya is that we were lucky enough to be born in a safer part of the world but despite the 5000 miles that separates us, we are still able to help. Every £13 donated, Children on the Edge can provide textbooks for 10 children for a year. Every £70 can employ a teacher for one month and every £100 can provide a safe space for 1200 Rohingya children. This is the impact a donation can have and all donations through our JustGiving page will go directly towards improving the situation on the ground.

When we remember past atrocities in modern history, we say never again. Never again should such persecution and violence be inflicted on a group of people. Well it is happening again. It’s happening now and we cannot be bystanders. Over the last few years these children have seen humanity at its worst. Let’s show them it at its best.

Kieran Roberts (The No Barriers Foundation)