Egide, youth advocate
In 2015, I had to flee because of war. Along with thousands of other refugees, I arrived in a neighbouring country that was not prepared for us. A camp was quickly set up. The majority of the people there were children and youth. Schools were built to help manage the situation, but I had to interrupt my university studies due to insecurity.
In the camp, there were no opportunities for those who wanted to continue higher education. Like many other young people, I faced an uncertain future. Some activists were trying to recruit young people to go back and fight, taking advantage of our desperation. They recruited people regardless of whether they had any military background or not, offering money as an incentive. Many of my friends joined, but most of them never came back.
People were desperate. With no jobs or education, they saw no other way. I can’t stop thinking about those who died after joining the military, leaving behind families and children who are now raised by single mothers. It was a vicious cycle of hopelessness.
I’m a living example of how education saved me from that fate. Even when I later relocated, I still faced challenges and difficult memories. I received psychological support, but I still struggled to regain control of my life. Things changed when I got the opportunity to join a preparatory academic programme at the University of Geneva.
Since then, I’ve focused on my studies, which helped me stop dwelling on the painful experiences of my past. Education didn’t just teach me new skills—it gave me purpose and direction.
I saw the same impact of education back in the camp. Before schools were built, there were high rates of early pregnancies and child labour. Locals would come to the camp to recruit children to work for just a small amount of money. But once schools were established, students were in class from morning until evening. They became more focused on learning, asking for help with their homework rather than trying to find ways to survive.
It wasn’t easy to convince them to stop working, but with the help of organizations like UNHCR and Save the Children, things improved. The number of unwanted pregnancies dropped, and education protected these young people from the dangers they faced daily.
That is why I invite the international community, and all decision-makers, to keep education at the centre of their plans. Education is at the heart of everything—whether it’s achieving the SDGs or addressing other global challenges. I urge you to continue supporting it, and to support increasing funding for education in emergencies worldwide.
Egide Niyonkuru is a youth advocate. He delivered this message to the high-level gathering ahead of the 34th International Conference of the Red Cross and Red Crescent on Strengthening the protection of children in and through education.