5 ways Dignity for Children Foundation is Contributing to SDG 1: No Poverty through Education

10 May 2023

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to provide a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.

One of the primary goals of the SDGs is to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions, which is Goal 1. Poverty is a complex issue that affects people all over the world, including children. According to UNICEF, approximately 700 million children still live in extreme poverty, which means that they are living on less than $1.90 a day. This is a staggering number, and it highlights the urgent need to address poverty and its impact on children.

Since 1998, Dignity for Children Foundation has been working with children from urban poor communities, refugees, and stateless children, providing them with intervention they need to break the cycle of poverty, including:

Quality education for all

Dignity provides quality education for children of all ages, from preschool to secondary school. For preschool and primary students, they offer a Montessori-based curriculum that is designed to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. This child-centered approach to learning allows children to learn at their own pace and according to their own interests, which can help to build a lifelong love of learning.

For secondary students, Dignity offers the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), which is a globally recognized qualification that prepares students for further education or employment. The IGCSE curriculum includes a wide range of subjects, including mathematics, science, languages, and humanities, and is designed to be flexible and adaptable to the needs of individual students.

Education is a powerful tool for breaking the cycle of poverty because it can help to improve economic opportunities, increase social mobility, and promote a range of positive outcomes, such as better health, improved gender equality, and reduced crime rates. By providing quality education, Dignity is giving children from disadvantaged backgrounds the chance to build a brighter future and break free from the constraints of poverty.

Offering vocational training and job opportunities

Dignity's vocational training programs go beyond just classroom instruction, providing students with practical, real-life training in the form of "shop schools." These shop schools, located in the Transformative Enterprises area of Sentul shoplots, offer training in fields such as F&B, hair salon, baking, and sewing, among others.

The Transformative Enterprises are more than just training facilities; they are also real businesses that provide job opportunities for graduates. By learning in these real-life settings, students gain hands-on experience that prepares them for the workforce and helps them to break free from the cycle of poverty. The enterprises also create jobs for members of the local community, contributing to the economic development of the area.

Physical and mental health care

Children living in poverty often face significant challenges that can make it difficult for them to learn and succeed in school. These challenges can range from lack of access to basic necessities like food and shelter to exposure to violence and trauma.

Dignity provides a range of services and programs that support children's overall well-being. This includes access to healthcare and mental health services, which are essential for helping children cope with the stress and trauma of living in poverty.

Social-emotional learning

Our holistic approach to education recognizes that children's social and emotional well-being is just as important as their academic success. That's why we have integrated SEL into our educational programs for students, families, and staff.

by promoting empathy and responsible decision-making, we are helping to create a more caring and supportive society where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. This, in turn, helps to promote sustainable economic growth and development.

Transport and nutritious meal

For many children living in poverty, getting to school can be a challenge. That's why we provide bus transportation for our students, ensuring that they can get to school safely and reliably.

In addition to transportation, we also provide nutritious meals for our students, recognizing that hunger can be a barrier to learning. Our meals are carefully planned to provide students with the energy and nutrition they need to succeed in school and in life.

By addressing these basic needs, Dignity is helping to remove barriers to education and promote sustainable economic growth and development.

Together, we can make a real difference and create a more equitable and sustainable world for all. We invite you to Join the Movement today! By partnering with us, you can provide access to quality education, healthcare, and other basic necessities that many underprivileged and marginalized children and youth desperately need.

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