Winter 1919. War was over but hunger was not. In a small province in the south of Europe, people were standing in a line and were waiting for small packages of food. Young mother of three children was so weak that standing in a line was simply impossible. Just a few days later, she died.
The youngest of those children was a little girl, called Ana. A bright and happy child. Her passion was books. She spent countless nights reading books. Her father left her with the foster family and her childhood was not easy. As she was “just an orphan,” she was only allowed to go to school for a short four years. Young teacher loved her. She recognized her passion, natural wisdom and hunger for knowledge. Even though her teacher begged her foster parents to let her continue with education, she was forced to labor on a farm. Occasionally Ana would be permitted to assist a young teacher in school, but those moments were rare. (Little Ana was the author's grandmother.)
One hundred years later there are still millions and millions of children without access to education. During Annual ADRA Council in February 2019, ADRA announced a new global advocacy campaign, “Every Child. Everywhere. In School.” The campaign is an urgent call to leaders around the world that all children, regardless of race, age, nationality, gender, religion or origin, have a right to earn and complete an education, and that being in school is a recognition of the value and potential of each individual child.
The campaign aims to collect one million signatures by 2020 through grassroots efforts in collaboration with the Adventist church, and petition world leaders to take action for children to receive a quality education, and live free from exploitation and the shackles of intergenerational poverty.
“Every Child. Everywhere. In School. The campaign builds on the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s long tradition of responding to the needs of all human beings, namely to stand up in favor of human rights, the well-being of children, and the protection and integrity of families. It is a call to action for all supporters to stand up with this Adventist-led movement and put into practice those principles we hold true.” – Jonathan Duffy
To sign the petition, please visit
https://ADRA.org/InSchool/Petition
For additional information and/or resources, please visit
https://ADRA.org/InSchool/Resources
View the campaign video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5SNaeqUQIk
