Migrant & Refugee Children deserve to be in school.
Imagine being uprooted from your home or being forced to move to a different country because of your country’s economic or sociopolitical instabilities. Imagine leaving your family, friends, country and culture behind to move to a new place where uncertainty awaits you. That process is not easy and results in anxiety and worry, especially when you don’t have the resources to support yourself when you arrive. You will have to look for food, shelter and work to sustain yourself. Your life completely changes and survival becomes your priority.
Now imagine being a child in this situation. A child uprooted and taken out of school. A child moving to a completely new place, living day to day without access to education. A child without a safe space to grow, learn and play. That is the reality of many migrant and refugee children across the globe and is especially prevalent in Trinidad and Tobago.
It is estimated that by the end of 2023, Venezuelan migrants and refugees will make up 3% of the population of Trinidad & Tobago and to date, Venezuelan children have not been allowed to enter schools in our beloved twin island state. While I understand that there are political sensitivities around the Venezuelan migration to Trinidad, I cannot help but think how unfair it is for the children to suffer. Education is an international human right for children and to deny them access is not only a breach of their rights but also an infringement on moral and social Justice.
I saw the impact of this when we recently held a hamper drive for the poor and vulnerable within a community, giving to both locals and migrants. The distribution was held near a primary school and there was one particular migrant family that came seeking assistance with their daughter who was no more than 6 years of age. During the process, their daughter sat looking into the courtyard of the primary school, watching the children play in their uniforms and her face was filled with sadness. It is during these situations, that I realize how much we are failing the children and as a result how much we are failing ourselves.
Why is that child not in school ?
I refuse to believe that the process is so difficult that a creative solution cannot be put forth for children to access education. Education which is a basic human need. People make excuses but none will ever be valid enough to deny a child education and protection. Are we denying a child the opportunity to socialize, to play and to learn? Have we really grown so detached that we can’t see why this is important ?
I hope that one day society can reawaken and push forward in the right direction. I pray that we will be able to think beyond the box and find ways to change and improve the community and society that we live within. Thank you to those who work tirelessly for the children of our society and I remain in blissful hope that every child will be granted the opportunity to go to school.
School – A place where every child belongs.