Girl in a karate uniform kicking with one leg in the air.

Unstoppable children

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Children are unstoppable

Meet children who have fled conflict, disaster, and displacement—yet refuse to be defined by it. Against unimaginable odds, they are now on the path to a brighter, better future.

Their stories show resilience, determination — and what’s possible when UNICEF, together with families, communities, and partners, collaborates to create lasting change.

Meet Margarida

No storm will stop her

No Cyclone will stop 15-year-old Margarida and her classmates, from learning in UNICEF’s climate-proof schools in Mozambique.

Cyclone Idai, in March 2019, was the worst natural disaster in over two decades, destroying 220,000 homes and 3,500 classrooms.

When the cyclone arrived, we lost everything. Everything was full of water

Margarida recalls.

Learning, no matter the storm 

Working with local partners, we have built climate proof schools, ready to withstand extreme weather conditions, allowing Margarida to get back into school and keep learning no matter the weather. These are providing safe, uninterrupted learning for over 55,000 children.

Mozambique’s long coastline and river basins make it highly vulnerable to cyclones — and climate change is making them worse.

More than 1,200 classrooms like Margarida’s now stand strong against cyclones, in Mozambique. Now in Grade 6, Margarida is determined to complete her education.

“We are happy to be able to go to school. Our school is beautiful. The winds can come and won’t destroy our roof. Me and my friends feel safe, and we don’t fear cyclones.” 

Meet Youssef

Learning without limits

8-year-old Youssef started school just last year in Syria. 
With support from his devoted parents, he is learning to read and write for the first time, using a braille typewriter. His unstoppable attitude is helping him chase his dream of becoming a teacher. 

My first day at school was beautiful. I learned about education and how others study. And I discovered there’s something called a school break!

Youssef

Inclusive education, lasting impact

Youssef is one of 9,000 children in 2024, learning through our inclusive education programme.

He recently became Syria’s Champion in the Arabic Reading Challenge, cheered on by his parents, school and local community.

For many children in Syria, school is out of reach. Years of conflict have fractured the education system and one in three schools is still unusable. More than 2.4 million children remain out of school and children with disabilities are among the most likely to be excluded, with a lack of accessible facilities and support.

“Knowledge is what lights our way. When you stop learning, life becomes silent.” Said Youssef

Youssef’s story is one of resilience, love, and opportunity. It’s also the story of thousands of children across Syria whose futures are being rewritten through inclusive education. Because when children learn, childhoods are unstoppable.

Meet Minyar

Nothing’s stopping this karate kid

Minyar, who is 11-years-old, was a purple belt in karate when war forced her to flee her home in Khartoum, Sudan a year ago.

Now in a new town, she leads her karate club like a champ — at a UNICEF-supported child-friendly space.

Hope and healing

More than 300 miles from home, Minyar found more than safety — she found a new beginning.
At a UNICEF – supported safe space, children from displaced and host communities come together to learn, play, and heal.

I found my favourite activity –karate –at the space here. It’s what I missed most from Khartoum. I was very happy.

Karate has given Minyar more than skills. It has brought her confidence, friendship, and a sense of belonging – kicking her way into a brighter future.

In Sudan, 11 million people have been driven from their homes due to armed violence. Millions of children are at risk, and widespread gender-based violence is devastating lives for many women and girls.

UNICEF’s child-friendly spaces help children like Minyar reclaim their childhoods, build resilience, and dream beyond their circumstances. Through programmes like karate, children discover their strengths, make friends, and find hope for the future.

“I didn’t learn karate to hit people for no reason. I wanted to learn to defend myself,” Minyar explains.

With every kick and kata, Minyar is forging a brighter path — focused, determined, and unstoppable.

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