Argentina: Improving Children Access to Education

ACDI’s Child Support Program continues during the Covid-19 pandemic, encouraging children and adolescents to attend school despite the difficulties. The measure of social distancing ordered by the national government impacted mostly on low income students, forcing teachers to find creative ways to overcame the digital gap and addressing family’s support through one to one directed advice. Godfathers and godmothers were invited to participate and be close to children and schools by sending video messages, photos and audio.

Schools also looked after foodsecurity and clothing, establishing a new service to ship and deliver goods and donations. In those cases where necessary, school fees where covered by the program together with the internet connection that was both sponsored for families and schools. Recently in march, after the summer vacations, students managed to go back to schools, even if winter is expected to be difficult as for Europe, unless a quick vaccination campaign facilitates the situation. For now, less than the 5% of teachers have been vaccinated.

Today, our efforts are directed to support the emotional situation of the students, encouraging them to keep studying and offering them different activities and tools such as computing, gardening, plastic (art) and english workshops.