The Problem

It is evident the issue of no clear pathways to schools in other countries cannot continue much longer, as seen in the photos below. Children in developing countries such as: Indonesia, China, Colombia, Philippines, Vietnam, Nepal, etc. are in dire need of help and support from outside organizations. Below I have listed several areas which demonstrate the desperate need of support; and if more support is given, then children in developing countries would not have to risk their lives any longer just to attend school. Education is clearly important in these areas of the world, and clearly worth the risk to the kids and their parents. With the help of NGOs (non-government organizations) there could soon be easier ways for children to get to school. I have included on my blog under Ways to Help a well-known NGO known as Plan USA; furthermore, under that tab I will discuss how Americans can help contribute to issues such as this through the NGO Plan USA. 

The photos below are located in Sumatra, Indonesia where there used to be a reliable bridge which everyone could cross over the river; however, since the bridge collapsed due to weather and age, everyone is forced to tightrope across the 30 ft. pass. This bridge, including a 7 mile walk, is a daily trek for Indonesian children. Due to heavy storms and floods there are other bridges similar to this case which are scattered all across the location.

In Columbia, kids from a handful of families living in the rainforest commute via steel cables connecting one side of the valley to the other; additionally, this is the only way for children to attend school. The photo below was taken by photographer, Christophe Otto, which demonstrates a young girl, Daisy, and her brother, Jamid, making their way to school at 50 miles per hour. Daisy is holding onto her brother in a sack because he is not old enough to do this task on his own yet.

Photographed below are students from the Philippines who have to ride an inflated tube to school over flooded rivers, not simply risking their books getting wet. Another photo shows how children from Vietnam do not even have flotation devices like the kids in the Philippines. Vietnam children have to swim against strong currents to get to school. In order to keep their clothes and books from getting wet, children put them in large plastic bags which are tightly sealed while crossing the river. The plastic bags are also used to keep the kids afloat while swimming across the river. Keep in mind, this river photographed is 15 meters wide and reportedly 20 meters deep.

The photos below demonstrate another Indonesian village with narrow aqueducts dangerously crossed by children attending school. The students have to walk or bike on a small plank board as opposed to walking an additional 3 miles.

Gondola bridges are common in the mountainous country of Nepal and good roads are in short demand. In the photo below, one can see how children use improvised ropes and pulleys to cross a handcrafted bridge made with planks without any safety harnesses in order to get to school.

The photograph below shows the high passes on cliffs in China in which students have to climb on their way to school.

During clashes between troops and Palestinians in a refugee camp near Jerusalem, a girl is seen calmly walking towards her school unconcerned by the violence around her. The street is strewn with rocks thrown by protesters in the direction of the Israeli troops, who can be seen behind the girl in protective shields.