Certificate of donation to UNICEF - for every children

UNICEF works in over 190 countries and territories to save children's lives. Education is crucial but opening new schools is a challenge in terms of basic supply requirements: a blackboard, books, pens, erasers, scissors, exercise books...

It all starts with education... or the lack of it

When you purchase the gift "Schooling for one child" on ProdiGift, your donation contributes to the necessary school supplies for a child during 3 months.

School supplies support good education

The gift recipient, when he/she decides to keep the gift, downloads a certificate of donation to UNICEF proving a direct contribution to opening new schools in the parts of the world that need it most.

The School-in-a-Box kit

Each gift is part of a larger programme called the School-in-a-Box kit, now part of the UNICEF standard response in emergencies. It's a crucial element of back-to-school operations around the world that use learning as the first step towards the restoration of normal schooling.

The school-in-a-box kit: just add 40 pupils and a teacher

It can also be used when suddenly facing an influx of students, for example when school fees are abolished or when supplies are needed urgently after a natural disaster.

The kit entails supplies and materials for one teacher and up to 40 pupils. It's designed to make culturally neutral education possible by the first 72 hours of an emergency and almost anywhere.

Education is one of the key actions in emergency situations

It contains some consumable materials that should be enough for around three months and that can later on be replenished, preferably locally for sustainability purposes.

What's included?

1. exercise books without margins (to let children write from left to right or right to left)
2. pencils
3. erasers
4. scissors
5. wooden teaching clock
6. wooden cubes for counting
7. a wind-op/solar radio
8. a set of three laminated posters (alphabet, multiplication and number tables)
9. special paint that can be coated on a wall or a flat surface to make a blackboard
10. a locally developed teaching guide and curriculum
11. everything is locked in an aluminium box
12. a lot more other suitable items

But that's not all as local products can be added too:

1. books in local languages
2. toys
3. games
4. musical instruments

Teachers need support to fulfil their challenging roles

Teachers have to be trained too and several handbooks are available. Each country office has the task of developing their own guides, in consultation with local education authorities.

1. Users’ Guide for UNICEF Mathematics Kit. The publication aims at front-line workers who may or may not be formally trained teachers
2. Users’ Guide Recreation Kit. It provides guidance on the Recreation Kit and is one of UNICEF educational pre-packaged kits designed for front-line workers
3. UNICEF Education Kit Handbooks provide guidance on how to include children with disabilities in educational activities
4. Description of the kit content and guidelines and ideas on specific activities using the content. Guidance on psychosocial activities and on how to create of an inclusive class environment
5. Teachers Guide and cover elements of pedagogy and materials in support of an effective emergency education programme

More info on https://www.unicef.org/supply/reports/school-box-guidelines-use

Why education matters

One of the most important rules of war is the protection of children. However they are more often that not largely ignored and children are attacked regardless of their age. Living in fear has a deep impact on the future of entire generations and lacking education poses threats to entire countries.

Lack of education is a threat to children and their families

Without skills they can't contribute to their families, areas, cities, economies, worsening situations that are already desperate for millions of children and families.

Without education, children's rights cannot be safeguarded in conflict zones. Child are easy targets of abuse, forced labour and recruitment by armed forces and groups. Other than schools, what can really protect them from repeating threats and crises?

Street school anyone?

Of course education is a challenge everywhere, not only during war time. Students who are underprivileged often fail because they cannot compete with their more affluent peers.

Poverty reduces a child's readiness for school because it leads to poor physical health and motor skills, diminishes a child's ability to concentrate and remember information, and reduces attentiveness, curiosity and motivation.

Providing an inclusive education system over time is a requirement for a stable and prosperous society. But what about the educational content?

Quality learning is key

Learning is an continuous opportunity to make things better and needs to be fostered in a safe environment by qualified and motivated teachers, in a language that's suitable for the pupils. Regular monitoring and actionable feedback are crucial to keep improving over time.

Fair education opens life-long opportunities

What are signs of good education?

1. self-discipline
2. self-confidence
3. a sense of responsibility
4. shared leadership
5. team-work among children
6. lower social embarrassment
7. reduced child labor
8. decision making abilities
9. firm stance against stifling progress and status quo
10. inspiring or motivating attitudes
11. responsive relationships with children
12. low people turnover

Inclusive and quality education for all is a keystone goal aimed towards sustainable development. Our common challenge is to make sure that all girls and boys complete free primary and secondary schooling.

Who doesn't deserve quality education?

What can we do about it? 

Encouraging access to high-quality education and supporting child well-being do slow down the cycle of poverty. The longer children stay at school, the greater chance they have of living out of poverty. We can make a life-changing impact through education, let's not waste that chance.

We're all thankful for the education we get!