YOU don’t realise how lucky you are, being able to read this.
I recently read an article in the paper about a boy in Malawi desperate for an electric light so that he could study in the evenings. Sisius Nyirenda 18, worked during the day to pay for his education, but when he would get home it would be too dark to read. Eventually Sisius saved enough money to buy a solar panel and light, which he could use at night to do his schoolwork (see here for the full story).
In the poorest areas of the world, education always comes at a great cost. The benefits and great value of education is realised most by those who cannot afford it. Children often have to work just to be able to pay for a few hours of education each day. They dream of learning to be able to go to university and lift themselves out of the poverty they are in. Many are not as lucky, and will never get the chance to go to school.
In this country education rarely seems valued. In the UK, every child, from whatever background is entitled to a free education. The chance to learn, to read and write, to further understand the world and enhance knowledge is offered to all. Yet this is rarely acknowledged or appreciated. Why is education valued so little in this country? Is it too easy to get benefits, say a council house and support after having a baby at the age of 15? Is it too easy to not be in work and to not even bother looking? Is it too easy to just not bother trying at school?
Most people probably never appreciate the free education that is given to them in this country. Unlike the many millions of children around the world who’s only dream is to be able to write their names.
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