How Poverty Affects Learning: It Starts With Getting to School
Poverty affects education in many ways, for example:
Many children must work to help support their families, keeping them out of school.
For many families, medical care is an impossible expense, leaving many children sick and absent from class.
If children are constantly hungry or malnourished, their brains can’t develop normally, and they struggle to focus in school.
Survival needs like food must come first, making school supplies, uniforms and tuition an expense families just can’t afford.
But even if a child doesn’t have to work, their families can afford a uniform, there’s food on their table and they have what’s needed to learn, they may still struggle with simply getting to school.
Many children live in remote areas where schools don’t exist. Others live in communities without buses or in households that simply can’t afford the cost of transportation. Others must decide if going to school is worth putting their lives at risk by crossing rivers, busy highways and steep cliffs.
Education is critical for rising above poverty. And despite the challenges, many children, like Anonna, Moussa, Anderson and Armando are defying the odds by doing whatever it takes to get to school (with a little help from those who love them).
See a Journey to School in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Guatemala & Peru
Anonna Gets to School by Nosimon & Boat
In Bangladesh, 11-year-old Anonna’s journey to school starts on a crowded nosimon, an open, three-wheeled truck. While she’s riding on the back of the nosimon, it ventures down a busy highway next to speeding trucks and buses. It might seem dangerous, but it’s the only mode of transport that’s affordable in town.
Anonna’s journey doesn’t end after the nosimon ride. To get to her classroom, she’ll need to cross a river in a boat provided by her local Compassion center.
Even during monsoon season, when the river is rough, Anonna hops aboard the boat with courage and determination.
A boat isn’t the only gift that helps her attend school. At her Compassion center, she receives school supplies, toiletries and a school bag for each new year — all the tools necessary for learning.
Anonna also receives ongoing medical care and nutrition support, keeping her healthy and equipped to reach for her dreams.
Moussa Rides His New Bike to School
Moussa, a 13-year-old boy living in Burkina Faso, has just one dream: to become a doctor.
“My dream is to become a medical doctor and heal children who often fall sick in my community. I want to study well and fulfill my dream.” — Moussa
To achieve his dream, Moussa must attend school faithfully, a necessity that was once a daily challenge. Moussa used to have to walk over two miles to school and back home. And sometimes, this journey was almost too much to bear.
“It was hard to be on time, and sometimes I wasn’t motivated to head to school because of the long walk.” — Moussa
Despite his long walk to get to school, Moussa was the top student at his Compassion center. And one day, because of his achievement, he was awarded a brand-new bicycle, a gift that would help him get to school much faster.
“I am thankful that the center gave me a new bicycle that I can now ride to school. It allows me to be punctual at school and at the center. It is the most precious gift I have ever received.” — Moussa
Anderson Crosses a River to Get to School
Seven-year-old Anderson lives with his grandparents in a rural village in Guatemala. His home is located 30 minutes away from school. To ensure he’s there on time, he wakes up with the roosters, around 6 a.m.
Anderson must carry seven workbooks and three textbooks on his back as he treks down bumpy, muddy, gravel-laden roads. During the dry season, dust covers his face, clothes and shoes. And during the wet season, he typically arrives at school covered in mud.
Anderson must cross a river to get to school. Sometimes, he can cross on foot using a gravel ford. But during many months out of the year, the river current is high from the rains, so he must walk across a long suspension bridge.
Once Anderson arrives at school, the challenge of the journey seems to fade away. He enjoys drawing and coloring at school — but he loves visiting the nearby Compassion center even more. There, he finds most of his friends, learns Bible verses and gets to eat yummy, nutritious meals.
Maria, Anderson’s grandmother, is especially thankful for the care he receives. Living in poverty, it can be hard to provide everything a growing boy needs.
“I’m so happy that Anderson is attending the center because he is learning the good ways. They help us whenever he gets sick, reinforce his learning and give him a birthday present each year.” — Maria, Anderson’s grandmother
At the end of the day, Anderson makes the trip back home, full of hope for the future. When he grows up, he wants to be a soldier.
Armando Walks an Hour Through Mountains to Get to School
Nine-year-old Armando lives in the Andes of Peru. Each morning, he embarks on his journey by 7:30 a.m. Otherwise, he won’t make it to school on time.
“It takes me about an hour to get to school. If I run, it could be 30 minutes.” — Armando
Armando must walk a path surrounded by towering mountains, open skies and miles of farmland. And it’s a landscape he knows well.
His family relies on farming and raising livestock to make a living. They raise alpacas, sheep, chickens and pigs while also cultivating potatoes, wheat, barley and fava beans. Armando helps his mom and dad care for the animals.
Armando also attends his local Compassion center, where he receives school supplies every year and enjoys a safe place to play. He’s also cheered on and encouraged by his sponsor, whose love inspires him to keep learning and growing.
Josefina, Armando’s mother, is deeply grateful that her youngest son is part of the Compassion program.
“When he gets back home, he’s happy and tells me what he did and learned. We pray for and thank them for the support we receive through the church. I’m also happy. It’s a blessing to our family.” — Josefina
Although Armando must trek an hour each way to and from school, he does so with joy. He carries so much more than notebooks — his heart is full of encouragement from those who love him.
As he walks, he recites the words of a Bible verse he learned at the center: “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing” (Psalm 23:1, NIV).
“My tutor teaches me about God’s Word. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 23:1. I also have a sponsor. I get letters from him, and I write to him too.” — Armando
While getting to school may be a journey for Anonna, Moussa, Anderson and Armando, each step brings them closer to a brighter future. With education and the support of their Compassion centers, they’ll be equipped to become thriving followers of Jesus, empowered to break the cycle of poverty and live out the callings God has for them.
