The High Price for Pursuing Knowledge in Some Parts of the Developing World

how much does it cost to go to school?
you might automatically answer - much.
but just how much?

well, most people will argue that no matter the cost, education is an invaluable and essential asset for the development of any individual. i will not refute the least such a statement, since i, myself, believe in this!

nevertheless, despite all arguments in support, i want to ask you -

what if it might cost you your life? will you still go to school? will you be willing to expose yourself to life danger just so that you can get to the classroom and learn?and why yes, or why no.

i suppose there will be those denying the possibility of such radical outcomes as the loss of life, but the facts are against such claims.

the reality in which some people 'survive' and actually pursue knowledge and development is utterly different from ours,immensely complicated and striking, and while we might wonder how to pay for the best schools, how to take advantage of the best options available to us and in one way or another consequently to succeed, or simply how to skip going to school...some people go to school at the risk of their lives.


who are these people? where is schooling being persecuted and why?

whether we talk about a war-torn area like Somalia or Darfur, or a radical Islamist town in a country like Afghanistan, controlled by the Talibans (or other extremist groups for that matter), or destitute places like Cambodia or Ethiopia, we can find parallels everywhere!

the 'price' of reaching school might differ, from being raped and beaten to being sold into prostitution or..as the latest of these cases shows, being the victim of a an attack with acid by some coward who just couldn't stand the thought of women's empowerment and emancipation.

the story of the several Afghan girls who were attacked with acid in the city of Kandahar in southern Afghanistan just days ago, is another proof of the high price some children, and especially girls, have to pay, to have the chance to overcome poverty by acquiring education. Education is Power. And those who seek to halt the educating of girls know that very well. They fear immensely even the slightest possibility of being overthrown by an empowered new generation of women who have sacrificed much in their lives and who are ready to see radical change and improvement in society. And they have definite reasons to fear because their cowardly attacks will ultimately prove unsuccessful! Some people are ready to pay the High price...and pursue knowledge. Take Shamsia, for example, she received the most severe injures in the recent attack, and yet, while still in the hospital, with her face burned from the acid, she claimed: "I'll continue my schooling even if they try to kill me. I won't stop going to school"... this is courage, this is spirit, this is strength, this is power!

you might wonder, why on earth will someone walk 5 miles a day, like some girls in Sudan and Congo (or many other areas around the globe where the protection of the citizens is beyond any measure!), just to attend classes, at the risk of being attacked and raped; you might think why some girls will not let their chance of being schooled pass by and choose to risk their lives to learn merely how to write and read...and here is Shamsia's answer to you all: "I'll continue going to lessons. I'm studying to be able to build our country"...the response to the same question, given by a little girl whose leg was chopped off by some rebels in Congo and who nevertheless, continued walking the 5 miles to school, without protease, just a crunch (risking to be raped by gangs on the way to and back)...was this "I dream to become a teacher when I grow up and be able to teach children and help them "...

the answer to "why would someone be willing to pay a price so high for education?" is simple: it's the will and desire of every man and woman to develop and reach their full potential, to be all that they can be, dream and pursue their dreams, and live a dignified and decent life!

the answer is simple - it's man's highest aspiration to reach to the stars, and to fly with the eagles, to be all that God made him/her to be, and live like a human!!!

the next time you start complaining about how much you wish u didn't have to study for exams, attend classes, or have to write papers and listen to lectures...i urge you to take a deep look at yourself and see...just how very blessed you truly are.
and when you see it, i urge you to give the Lord the glory and the praise and Pray that all may be privileged to have a chance like yours, a chance to become all that they are meant to, a chance to fulfill their dreams and reach their stars...a chance to be free (of torture, fear, abuse, despair, poverty) to not just survive..but LIVE!

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Comment on MDG2 (Education) posted on the MDG blog

Providing Quality education for all people, regardless of their race, gender or status is essential for the achievement of all 8MDGs. I strongly commend the efforts of the international community (NGOs and IGOs alike) to reach out to the destitute and voiceless and give them a chance to voice their needs and fight for their future! I do believe that this multi-sectoral approach to development is the only way out of poverty and the only way to true progress in the overall Human Development process. Therefore, it is essential to emphasize the importance of all stakeholders to unite their efforts and strive to provide a better future for all humanity.
In regard to Education, the efforts of the international community, states and all responsible institutions should be even more involved and better linked with the parties directly affected by the successful achievement of this goal, namely children, parents, and local communities. Efforts should not only focus on providing primary education for all in the LDCs (Least Developed), but emphasis should point to the importance of Quality, Multi-faceted education for children and parents everywhere. Quality education acknowledges the importance of addressing issues beyond general knowledge, issues essential for the development of each individual – raising awareness of their human rights, breaking stereotypes and cultural stigmas, bringing up a socially responsible future generation etc. It is of utmost importance for the future of people everywhere to realize their uniqueness, their special, god-given value and worth, regardless of their descent, their social standing or family situation. This is especially important among the most vulnerable groups - orphans, children with special needs, children victims of violence, or former child soldiers. Moral values, norms, and principles shouldn’t be neglected in educational programs, but rather, parents, as well as teachers, should be stimulated to adopt such values and give special attention to the overall Human Development of each person.
Quality education guarantees Quality future, and we ALL, as citizens of this planet, are responsible for achieving this high goal!

There is no excuse for a child to be deprived from a chance to be happy and able to develop her/his potential!
There is no excuse for a person to be negligent of the needs of others.

It’s time to unveil the selfish shells we’ve been hiding under, dismantle all excuses, and take a stand, for a better world, for a High - Quality world!

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