Return to school brings many mixed emotions. There is often excitement for the new school year ahead or sadness that summer is coming to a close. But this year, uncertainty looms as the return to school looks different than it has in year’s past. Many of the same challenges we are facing here in the U.S., other countries where FH works, like the Dominican Republic (DR), Peru, Indonesia, Kenya, and more, are also encountering similar obstacles.
Fortunately, creativity and the desire for children to keep learning is greater than any obstacle. Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and partners like you, FH is supporting students and teachers as they return to school.
Creativity in Return to School
Creativity means using WhatsApp, a messaging app, to connect teachers and students in the Dominican Republic. In the app, teachers can share school lessons and assignments with their class. Children work to complete and return the assignments to their teachers in the app. In addition, after-school literacy clubs are still taking place using the groups set up within the app. And for those who don’t have access to the internet, FH staff are supporting families and teachers so every student is able to return to school. The staff are offering services such as tutoring, distributing school work and providing school supplies.
![return-to-school-child-doing-homework](https://www.fh.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/return-to-school-doing-homework-1024x684.png")
Kids in Kenya now have a new reason to listen to the radio. In Kenya, children’s school lessons air on the radio. For families without radios, FH helped families purchase a radio so their children could also participate and listen to the school lessons.
Webinars and trainings were held for teachers in Peru and the Philippines. Teachers were equipped to support children in their return to school. This helped the teachers gain tools and information on how to improve learn-from-home and supporting students’ mental and emotional health.
Desire for Learning
By supporting FH, you are ensuring that children are learning and receiving an education. We believe education lifts people out of poverty and enables children to reach their God-given potential. We are still committed to helping children receive an education, even in 2020 when the return to school is more difficult.
In Indonesia, since schools remain closed, there is risk of students falling behind or even dropping out. Books were distributed to over 500 households and students are still learning. Parents and caregivers in the Dominican Republic, the Philippines and Uganda received worksheets and study materials to help their children learn from home.
Supporting A Child’s Education
One of the best ways you can support a child’s education is by sponsoring a child through FH. If you are already sponsoring a child with FH, thank you. You are part of our growing community of child sponsors who are faithfully committed to helping children receive an education and reach for a brighter future.
There are still many unsponsored children who have the desire to learn, they just need the additional support and encouragement that sponsorship provides. When you sponsor a child, you’ll be their supporter and encourager. For $38 a month, you’ll be helping FH work in your sponsored child’s community to provide basic necessities like a better education.
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