Costa Rican Schools Open Their Doors to Displaced Nicaraguan Children
Thanks to the generosity of border towns in Costa Rica, thousands of Nicaraguan children fleeing social and political crisis at home have been able to go back to class.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is supporting schools and host communities like Los Laureles and Upala as part of its community-led strategies to integrate Nicaraguan students. Through its donation of desks, chairs, and school supplies, the agency aims to complement the efforts made by local authorities, as well as the people of Costa Rica.
“The generosity shown by Costa Rica embodies the spirit of the Global Compact on Refugees,” said Milton Moreno, UNHCR’s Representative in Costa Rica.
“These efforts demonstrate how solidarity can be put into action, and serve as an inspiration to us all.”
- See also: Helping refugees to thrive in Costa Rica
Affirmed by the UN General Assembly last December, the Global Compact seeks a more equitable sharing of responsibility for hosting and supporting refugees, about 80 per cent of whom live in countries neighbouring their place of origin.
As Lina and Miguel resume their studies, the two siblings have once again begun to dream about what the future might hold for them. “What makes me happiest about being in Costa Rica is to be able to study again,” said Miguel as he took his sister’s hand and headed to school. “I want to be a doctor.”
*Names of refugees and teachers changed for protection reasons.
*SOURCE: UNHCR. Go to ORIGINAL. 2019 Human Wrongs Watch
Source: https://human-wrongs-watch.net/2019/07/05/costa-rican-schools-open-their-doors-to-displaced-nicaraguan-children/
