Building Pathways in a Pandemic: A Team Effort

When the coronavirus pandemic swept across the world, 190 countries closed their schools. Many young people were disconnected from each other as well as from a clear path forward, ending up 3x more likely than adults to be unemployed. The world’s young people, already vulnerable to high rates of economic uncertainty, now must navigate an unprecedented challenge—building their livelihoods amongst a global pandemic and economic recession. In response, the education sector is forging creative new partnerships, and youth, teachers, governments, and social impact organizations are collaborating to support youth during this turbulent time. Educate!’s long-standing partnerships have placed us all on a team, working together to respond to the challenges 2020 has brought into young people’s lives.  

Despite School Closures, Young Leaders and Educators Remain Committed to Learning 

Around the world, young people have shown incredible grit, resiliency, and an unwavering dedication to their education. Huge milestones have been missed: first and last days of classes, graduation ceremonies, and personal and professional achievements. Yet, young people remain committed to building a brighter future. Even youth outside the education system have found creative ways to secure employment and continue learning, all amidst lockdowns and social distancing orders. 

Educate!’s distance learning model was developed in an effort to combat the negative impacts of school closures, and we’ve been inspired to see over 50,000 youth participating and putting their skills to the test. These young people have leveraged what they’ve learned through radio, phone, and SMS (text) to launch new businesses and enterprises, all while supporting one another along the way.

During the lockdown in Uganda, Educate! Mentor Kyarisiima has tapped into her entrepreneurial energy and started a new agricultural enterprise farming crops using all-organic pesticides!

Joan is a former Mentor in Isingiro District, Uganda, where she participated in Educate!'s Youth Business Experience (YBE). Today, she is managing multiple at home projects during lockdown, and she leverages the skills gained through YBE to grow her businesses, including locating target markets, advertising her products, and identifying customer preferences. Most recently, during the dry season, she started building baskets using local materials around her home. "It's my wish to motivate my Scholars!,", Joan shares.

In addition to youth supporting one another to continue their education during this time, teachers are also deeply committed to learning continuity and dedicated to supporting their students amidst school closures. One inspiring example comes from Simon, an Educate! Associate Teacher in Uganda. Educate!’s first youth skills radio lesson focused on small-space farming, and to showcase this activity for his students, Simon built sack gardens at his school—leading by example so students would feel encouraged to try the activity at their homes. “I really appreciate the efforts you have put in, Educate!, in empowering the youth with various skills and the knowledge you have for this COVID-19 lockdown for the youth,” Simon shares. 

Community leader and entrepreneur Augustine is hard at work in the Mbale District, demonstrating for his community how to effectively use the handwashing facility called Tippy Tap.

Yonah is a bright and ambitious student and Educate! Scholar at King's College Budo, who has done incredible work making use of local resources and re-growing vegetables!

“After learning about Tippy Tap at Educate!,” says Augustine, “I shared this idea with my colleague Bob Junior and we started a program called Community Hygiene Pack. The Pack contained COVID-19 preventative measures information and Tippy Tap technology. Now, we have currently demonstrated 500 Tippy Taps in seven communities throughout the Mbale district.”

Governments and Education Stakeholders Work Together to Support Youth 

In addition to youth and teachers taking charge and enacting change in their communities, we have been encouraged by the efforts of ministries of education as they continue to demonstrate their commitment to youth economic opportunity, including developing national strategies to expand digital learning tools as well as extending cell networks for learner outreach and assessment of learning. Additionally, Educate!’s peer organizations and sector connections have organized countless webinars, solution databases, and compiled collective learning tools, so that those working within the education sector and navigating the digital divide can best serve youth in this new normal.  

While the future still appears quite uncertain and unclear, we are inspired by the individuals and organizations, partnerships and collaborations, we see aimed at supporting youth and providing economic and educational opportunity amidst the pandemic.