Nairobi, 18 September 2023 – The African Trade & Investment Development Insurance (ATIDI), previously known as the African Trade Insurance Agency (ATI), has today announced financial aid of close to USD60,000 to Africa Educational Trust (AET), part of Street Child. The donation will support the second phase of standing up for safe and protective education project, which will see the construction of a block of latrines and a borehole in marginalized communities in South Sudan and also support the construction of six classrooms for displaced children in Burundi. Both initiatives are anticipated to be finished by February 2024.
This donation follows an initial support by ATIDI accorded to AET, as part of Street Child, in 2022 for the construction of two learning spaces in South Sudan, which provided a safe space for learning for over 600 children from marginalized communities. The second phase is set to further improve the learning environment by building additional learning spaces with access to adequate water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH) facilities.
Furthermore, ATIDI’s donation for the construction of six classrooms in Burundi’s peripheral areas is expected to ease overcrowding in existing classrooms, which would otherwise negatively impact the educational experience the children, and to allow the out of school children who have been affected by floods to enrol to school again.
While the impact of the new school structures has been significant, consultations with the communities and State Ministry of Education highlighted the essential need for additional learning spaces in the schools along with WASH facilities, in particular access to clean water. ATIDI’s financial support complements Sustainable Development Goals 4 and 6 which aim to provide quality education and clean water for all.
South Sudan has the highest rate of out of school children in the world, at 62%, while a recent needs assessment found that the most common reason for children not enrolling or attending school is a lack of school facilities nearby.
Quote from Manuel Moses, CEO – ATIDI
“We are proud of this strategic partnership with AET, as part of Street Child which has allowed ATIDI to deliver on our CSR vision to promote social and economic wellbeing, particularly of the marginalised and vulnerable communities within our member states. While education is simply more than a fundamental human right, it also significantly contributes to the economic and social advancement of our continent. For this reason, ATIDI will continue to take part in these common objectives and better the lives of our community”.
Quote from Ellen Fitton, East and South Africa Representative at AET, part of Street Child
“AET, part of Street Child, are delighted to have partnered with ATIDI and are very grateful for their ongoing commitment to support the education of the children in South Sudan and Burundi. These projects will be implemented in low resource areas where communities are particularly marginalised as a result of ongoing conflict and flooding. By improving the education infrastructure, the partnership will ensure these children are safe, in school and learning despite the previous challenges that they have faced.”
