17 amazing things children do just to get an education

Children in conflicts, Up for School or #upforschool campaign

The inspiring story of homeless Daniel Cabrera doing his homework by the light of a McDonald’s restaurant has touched the hearts of millions around the world.

The nine-year-year from the Philippines has been inundated with offers of help since he was spotted at his makeshift desk in Manila.

Now an #AkoSiDaniel (I Am Daniel) appeal has been set up by the Philippines Foundation education initiative, which is helping to get 1.2 million children into school.

Find out more about how to donate, sign the #UpForSchool Petition and join the movement by posting an #AkoSiDaniel picture or video.

But Daniel is not the only child who has to go to amazing lengths just to get an education. Here are some other examples from around the world.

Here’s another one from the Philippines – school children cross a swollen river in Rizai Province.

Indonesian children cross a bridge damaged by flooding in Lebak.

These children in India are taught on a train platform before they go to work begging or selling paper and plastics.

Bertila, a 17-year-old from Cameroon, was born with a physical disability and impaired vision. She lost both parents many years ago and had never been to school. But HOPE For Children Cameroon helped get her into school in April this year. Now she can say a few words, loves to sing and her fellow students adore her.

Get your day off to a flier – that’s one way to get to school in Colombia.

Devoted Yu Xukang, 40, uses a basket to carry his son 18 miles up and down hills to school every day to ensure his physical disabilities means he does not miss out on an education.

Room for one at a time … girls on their way to school in India.

Like Daniel in the Philippines, students in Nigeria had study under street lights after power cuts.


Students studying under streetlamps as power… by aljazeeraenglish

Probably the most remote school in the world is in Gulu, China, where the mountain path takes five hours to climb.

Children in the Indian city of New Delhi got the chance to learn thanks to shopkeeper Rajesh Kumar Sharma, who set up a school under a bridge.

Also in Delhi, a group of children ride on a horse-drawn cart to get home from school.

The Bangladeshi charity Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha has a creative solution to flooding. It collects children from riverside stops then docks the boat and turns it into a classroom.

Trekking across snow and ice through the Himalyan mountains to get to boarding school in Zanskar Village, India.

The film On The Way To School tells the stories of four children from India, Morocco, Kenya and Argentina who make remarkable journeys each day just to get an education


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