Education is a human right. When we remove obstacles holding children and adults back from education, we open doors to new opportunities and vastly improved economic prospects. According to the United Nations, those in Sub-Saharan Africa face the biggest challenge in accessing education. WDR partner, Open Schools Worldwide (OSWW) is active in this region, bringing education to the most marginalised.

OSWW has come up with an innovative response. A literacy/numeracy programme has been specially designed to teach children up to grade three level in six months (flexible depending upon number of classes possible per week). OSWW train local volunteers to deliver a bespoke literacy and numeracy curriculum in their communities. OSWW believe that classes should be easy and convenient for children to attend, and so they are held wherever the children are; be that under a tree, in a church hall, or at the edge of a rubbish dump.

There are projects in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Kenya, Ghana and Zambia with expansion into other countries, such as Brazil, on the horizon. Innovation within development work is highly valued by WDR. 

WDR hopes to visit Open Schools Worldwide in South Africa in 2024.