UN Goodwill Ambassador: Millions of refugee children missing school
News Source
β’Tue, 22 Sep 2026 18:49:36 +0000
π° What Happened
Mary Maker fled South Sudan as a child and grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya. She is now a UN Goodwill Ambassador. At the United Nations, she said millions of refugee children are missing school. She told leaders that education changed her own life and urged them to fund schools and jobs for refugees.
π The Backstory
The world has more displaced people than at any time in recent history, and many live in camps for years. UN agencies warn that funding shortfalls have forced cuts to camp schools. Refugee children often fall years behind in class, and very few reach university. Maker's message came as world leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly.
π― Why It Matters
School gives refugee children a real chance at a normal life instead of years of waiting. Aid cuts could take that chance away from millions of kids.
Mary Maker fled South Sudan as a child and grew up in a refugee camp in Kenya. She is now a UN Goodwill Ambassador. At the United Nations, she said millions of refugee children are missing school. She told leaders that education changed her own life and urged them to fund schools and jobs for refugees.
The world has more displaced people than at any time in recent history, and many live in camps for years. UN agencies warn that funding shortfalls have forced cuts to camp schools. Refugee children often fall years behind in class, and very few reach university. Maker's message came as world leaders gathered in New York for the UN General Assembly.
School gives refugee children a real chance at a normal life instead of years of waiting. Aid cuts could take that chance away from millions of kids.