With schools once again opening their doors to students in the Central African Republic (CAR) following a months-long hiatus brough on by the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19), MINUSCA peacekeepers brought some cheer to the pupils of Bamou Primary School in Kaga Bandoro (northern CAR) during a recent visit to the school.

Taking time out from their customary duties of saving lives, it was not medicine but rather scholastic materials including books and sports kits that staff from the Medical Unit of the MINUSCA Bangladesh Contingent at the Banmed-6 Level II Hospital in Kaga Bandoro delivered to the schoolchildren. The initiative was carried out under the umbrella of Mission civilian-military (CIMIC) activities, in collaboration with the Sector Center Mission leadership team.

“Embrace education, it is the cornerstone of all development,” urged Sector Commander Brigadier General Rafea Abd Elsattar Gomaa while addressing teachers and students during the handover of the educational materials. “A good education will nurture the leaders of tomorrow that can help develop their country,” he said. 

Education is a fundamental human right as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is also championed by Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 of the 2030 Agenda adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, which aims to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”. 

According to UNICEF in the CAR, 1.37 million children were affected by school closures due to Covid-19. School has resumed but under exceptional circumstances. With the coronavirus disease still affecting many people in the country and across the world, students were reminded of the importance of social distancing and other measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic. 

Sector Center Acting Head of Office Helder Da Costa commended the Banmed-6 team for their proactivity in promoting education through the support provided to the students. He added that he was confident that the scholastic materials provided would be of use to the students on their learning journey and encouraged the children and their teachers to ‘take the opportunity and put it to good use’.

Kaga Bandoro Mayor Alvin Moussa Zavido also expressed his gratitude to Banmed-6. “Education is one of most invaluable forms of assistance anyone can provide,” he noted.