Welcome to Canadian Aid for Refugee Education (CARE), a Canadian non-for-profit organization committed to providing educational aid and support programs for refugees in need.
Facts
According to a report by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in 2020, globally, only 63% of refugee children attend primary school, 24% attend secondary school, and only 3% attend university. The report also notes that only 77% of refugee children are enrolled in primary school, compared to a global average of 90%. Additionally, the report highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the education crisis for refugees, with many schools closing and disruptions to online learning.
https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/
WHY CARE
Overall, supporting refugee students’ education is a moral imperative and a strategic investment in human potential, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. It enables them to overcome their challenges, fulfill their potential, and contribute positively to society.
Education is a fundamental human right that should be accessible to all individuals, regardless of their background or circumstances. Refugee students, who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or other forms of violence, should not be denied this right. Supporting their education helps fulfill their rights and promotes social justice.
Education plays a pivotal role in building a better future for individuals and societies. By supporting refugee students’ education, we invest in their potential and empower them to contribute positively to their communities. Education equips them with knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities that can break the cycle of poverty and displacement, leading to long-term stability and development.
Refugees often endure traumatic experiences before and during their displacement. Education can serve as a means of healing, providing a sense of normalcy, structure, and routine. It helps refugee students overcome their traumatic pasts by offering a supportive and inclusive environment where they can learn, connect with others, and regain a sense of purpose and hope.
Supporting refugee students’ education promotes social integration and cultural diversity within host communities. When refugee students are given the opportunity to attend school alongside local students, it fosters mutual understanding, empathy, and appreciation for different cultures. It creates an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated, challenging stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination.
Displacement disrupts the educational journeys of refugee students, causing gaps in their learning and development. By providing support and resources to refugee students, we help bridge these gaps and mitigate the adverse effects of displacement. Education empowers them to rebuild their lives, contributes to their overall well-being, and increases their resilience in the face of adversity.
Education plays a crucial role in breaking the cycle of dependence on humanitarian aid. By equipping refugee students with education and skills, we empower them to become self-reliant, contributing members of society. This reduces their reliance on aid in the long run and helps them become active participants in their own development and that of their communities.