The past month at Street Child has been defined by one key mission: getting ready for back to school! Last week the President of Liberia announced an exciting new programme with Street Child to enrol 50,000 children into education over six years. As most children in the UK return to their classrooms this week, we’ve launched our 'Back to School' campaign, supported by incredible advocates like Chris Kamara, Nick Hewer, and Ade Adepitan. There are many ways to get involved, including the Big School Walk, which will help send children back to school in the most disaster-affected and lowest-income countries. Read on for more! 

Last week, Liberian President H. E. Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr. launched the country's new "Street Child Project", a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by Street Child in collaboration with Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection. The initiative was developed following a 2022 survey revealing that a staggering 366,584 children were living in street situations across Liberia. Over six years, we aim to enroll more than 50,000 street-connected children into education in Liberia, many of whom are experiencing malnutrition, homelessness, and child exploitation.

The project is being initiated with a 12-month pilot phase, which began in August and will focus on Montserrado County in the North West of Liberia. Street Child’s role will be crucial in ensuring the long-term success of the initiative. Together with local partners and authorities, we will provide essential resources and support that includes enrolling children into education and providing livelihood support to caregivers. Together, we are working to secure a brighter future for Liberia’s most at-risk children.

As children in the UK return to class this week, our 'Back to School' campaign aims to ensure every child has the chance to experience that first day feeling: The excitement of pulling on fresh socks, the smell of new pencils being sharpened to perfection, and the anticipation of meeting new friends. That feeling—the blend of nervous energy, excitement, and possibilities—is something every child deserves. But for too many children around the world, this experience remains a distant dream. That's where our new campaign comes in. A massive thank you to everyone who has already contributed to our campaign! If you haven't already, please consider getting involved today. 

We are thrilled to have the backing of Chris Kamara, Nick Hewer & Ade Adepitan for our Back to School campaign, which was covered in a variety of UK news outlets including the Daily Star, Manchester Evening News, and Liverpool Echo.

“There was nothing like the buzz of the first day back at school – catching up with mates after the summer holidays, getting back on the football pitch, and making new friends," said Chris Kamara. "But not all children are so lucky. Street Child does so much for kids across the world, making sure they get to learn in safe, fun environments when otherwise they would never get the chance.”

Nick Hewer added: “Education is opportunity. Not only is it the key to unlocking a child’s full potential, but people’s ability to read, write and build relationships supports local economies, lifts communities out of poverty, and will benefit generations to come.”

"Without basic education, there’s little hope for these societies to develop and thrive," says Street Child CEO & Founder Tom Dannatt in a recent op-ed published in Eastern Daily Press. "Yet, the cost to get a child into school is often surprisingly low. For less than the cost of a coffee or a bus ticket, you can help rewrite a child’s future."

Over the past 7 years, violence and targeted attacks on education have left hundreds of thousands of children in Cameroon out of school. This year, with your help, Street Child and our incredible local partners are stepping in to change this. We are helping over 7,000 children find their way back to education! Through financial support, school supplies, and workshops for caregivers, we are ensuring that children in Cameroon can reclaim their right to learn. 

Our team in Cameroon has created 'Temporary Learning Corners', which are essentially pop-up classrooms in communities. These spaces are more than just makeshift classrooms; they are safe havens where children can continue learning without fear of violence. Since many of these children have been out of school for years, we use a specialised 'Teaching at the Right Level' approach, which groups learners based on ability rather than age, helping them learn at a pace that’s right for them. 

When children are ready to transition back to formal education, we conduct thorough safety assessments of local schools to ensure they can return to the classroom with peace of mind. Where safe schools aren’t available, children continue to learn in our pop-up classes—because every day spent learning is a day that brings them closer to a brighter future.

Your generosity this September can make a world of difference for children in Cameroon and beyond. Together, we can help them not only survive but dream, learn, and thrive. 

As part of our Back to School campaign, we invite families and schools to set a walking challenge this September and help more children access education with each step! Street Child works in remote and rural areas, where children walk long distances to reach school. On average, they cover 5K to 10K daily, facing challenges and potential dangers along the way. Your walk would mirror their journey while helping us enhance access to education by building schools closer to communities. Register your interest today to receive custom fundraising resources from our team.