It takes a child

Medardo is just one example of the children who benefit from Free The Children schools

There are many reasons why young people cannot attend school in developing countries, whether it’s because they have to work, do household chores or because the closest school is miles away. Despite the fact that it is their wish, many children in Ecuador are denied even a primary education and are therefore unable to speak out for their own rights.

Medardo Jaya Cayambe from Pulingui, San Pablo, used to be one of these children. Like any young boy, he likes to play volleyball and soccer for fun and enjoys spending time with friends. When he grows up, he wants to climb mountains and dreams of being a doctor. But, before a Free The Children school was built in his community, the closest school was an hour and a half walk from his home.

He couldn’t go to school. He couldn’t meet his dreams of becoming a doctor.

But once Free The Children built a school in Pulingui San Pablo, only 100 metres from his house, Medardo was able to get an education and complete primary school.

His next goal? To go to high school to become one step closer to achieving his dream. But the high school was expensive and his mother couldn’t afford it and so, at 12 years old, Medardo joined the 218 million other children around the world and became a child labourer. His voice was once again silenced.

After working for a year, however, Medardo received a gift that would change his life forever: a scholarship to high school from Free The Children. Now 14 years old, Medardo is speaking up, loud and clear, to make sure that other children in Ecuador can get an education just like him. He is being a voice for the voiceless.

Help other children like Medardo to meet their goals by taking a Me to We Trip to Ecuador this summer, and help to build a new school and a better life for children in need. Visit www.metowe.com/trips for more info.

Free The Children is the largest network of children helping children through education in the world, with more than one million youth involved in our innovative education and development programs in 45 countries. Founded by international child rights activist Craig Kielburger, Free The Children has an established track-record of success, with three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize and partnerships with the United Nations and Oprah’s Angel Network.