Education around the world: Three stories of learning

Education equips children to develop into adults who have the tools, resources and opportunities they need to reach their full potential, and it provides families with the support they need to break cycles of family separation and poverty.   

This month, millions of children are filling their backpacks with books, packing their lunchboxes with nutritious food and preparing to unlock a future of possibility through education.  

Today, we’re sharing three inspiring stories of children learning around the world—and highlighting even more opportunities to help children unlock their full potential at school! 

India: Mobile learning centers bring hope to children with limited resources 

Every child has the right to an education, but not all children have the resources they need to attend school.  

For more than 35 million children in India, poverty prevents them from learning. Many parents dream of sending their children to school, viewing education as a path out of poverty, but they can’t afford school costs, including transportation. 

Location shouldn’t be a barrier to building a brighter future—and, thanks to friends like you, it’s not. 

SOS Children’s Villages launched a digital mobile learning program to meet children in Delhi, Pune and Raipur where they are—delivering the tools and support they need to build confidence and learn.  

“When learning travels to a child’s own neighborhood, distance, cost and worry stop standing in the way,” said Sumanta Kar, CEO of SOS Children’s Villages India. “Every child deserves that chance.” 

Through this program, children are building the essential skills they need to thrive in today's world, like:  

— Digital literacy training, which help children and young people learn basic computer skills to access online learning and thrive in the electronic age. 

— Online safety courses, which give young people the knowledge and skills to identify potential predators and remain protected from online exploitation. 

— Financial literacy trainings to help young people learn how to bank online, stay safe from scams and complete safe digital transactions. 

— Life skills, so children and young people can learn more about healthy grooming, hygiene and communication skills.   

Already, more than 800 children and young people—including more than 150 children living in street situations—have accessed the tools and support they need to learn, grow and build brighter futures! 

Learn more about how we provide safe homes, education and dignity to children living on the streets.  

Sudan: Child-friendly spaces deliver learning in crisis 

Globally, conflict and other humanitarian crises are the primary reason children aren’t in school.  

For the children in Sudan, this isn’t a statistic—it’s been their reality since a violent civil war first erupted in April 2023.  

Now, three years into the armed conflict and one year into a devastating famine, one in three schools in Sudan are closed. It’s estimated that eight million children aren’t attending school, robbing children of their right to learn and future opportunities.  

But, thanks to global and compassionate supporters, we’re not just delivering emergency aid to children in Sudan—we’re also tackling the education crisis.  

Working with local education authorities, SOS Children’s Villages launched “Can’t Wait to Learn”—an innovative digital program that delivers quality education to children in Sudan, even during times of conflict. The program aligns with the national curriculum, ensuring children can keep learning, no matter the state of the world around them. 

Read more about the importance of education in crisis.  

Vietnam: Advocating for girls’ rights to education 

When she was 12 years old, Linh experienced a devastating tragedy: her father suddenly passed away.   

With no other biological family to care for her, the little girl was at risk of growing up alone, vulnerable to hunger, violence and exploitation. But thanks to our generous SOS community, Linh was welcomed into an SOS Children’s Village in Vietnam.   

“My caregiver and siblings encouraged and supported me,” Linh said. “My caregiver guided me in my studies and life so that I could grow up in a stable environment.”  

Learning became Linh’s passion, and her SOS Parent’s relentless belief fueled her success—and served as the foundation for her future advocacy.   

“I always told her to be confident before others, to raise her voice and inspire her peers,” said Hương, Linh’s caregiver. “I am a shy person, but I wanted her to have the courage to speak.”   

Although Linh left for college, she never forgot Hương’s words of encouragement. She became the president of the literature club, organized workshops and joined volunteer trips to remote areas of Vietnam where she taught reading and writing. She even helped facilitate a gender equality project at her former school.   

“When I implemented the project on gender equality, my message was: There should be no discrimination for any gender,” she says. “Everybody has the right to be themselves.”  

After graduation, Linh knew exactly how she wanted to keep making a difference: Teach at the school she attended as a child. Now, she teaches literature—and encourages young people, especially girls, to raise their voices for equality, just as she learned to raise her own.  

“Young women should not limit themselves,” she says. “Prioritize education and career. Learning is a lifelong process—you can continue studying even after you start working or marry.”  

Learn more about how education equips children and young people to reach their full potential.  

How you can help more children learn 

Every child deserves an education, and your support today can remove barriers that prevent children from learning and building brighter futures. 

With your education gift from the Love, Delivered gift catalog, you can deliver school supplies, a backpack, internet access and more that a child needs to learn, grow and thrive—no matter the state of the world around them.