Statement

Education is a necessity and not a luxury. It is a fundamental right that helps to promote integral human development. Every child deserves to enjoy this right by receiving a basic education. Today, providing this fundamental right of educating a child is still a burden to many parents and families within many Nigerian communities. However, by availing the Nigerian child of this unique opportunity through funding, the Nigerian child is empowered to live a better life and contribute through acquired knowledge their quota to community development. Education not only helps to develop human intelligence but also forms an integral component of the human personality.

Through learning, a child discovers how to live, learns to be mature and acquires knowledge that enables the child to make a good journey in life. As expressed by Pope Francis, “without education, it is difficult to dream of a future,” and availing a child of education and development opportunities will help them to dream of a future. With this concept in mind, the vision and wish to help realise a better future for children through education was a compelling motivation for initiating the CHEF: Cāritās ad Hūmānitātem Education Foundation.

Our guiding principle is to ensure the dignity of every child enrolled in the CHEF Education Scheme, recognising that child rights are fundamental human rights acknowledged by international and local laws. These rights include education, health, protection, and development. Children have the right to be treated with dignity and respect, express their views and opinions, and be protected from violence, abuse, exploitation and discrimination. These rights, which we, as board members of the CHEF, promise to uphold, are enshrined in Chapter IV of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which promotes the fundamental rights of every Nigerian citizen. Other sources include the Nigerian Child’s Rights Act of 2003, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child of 1989, and the “Muto Proprio”, Vos estis lux mundi (2019) of Pope Francis.

Children's rights are a moral obligation and a social responsibility for all members of society, especially parents, caregivers, teachers, policymakers, and service providers. The CHEF Board and its members pledge to promote and protect children’s rights as a fundamental principle, recognising that their protection will positively impact the individual child’s and humanity’s well-being and progress.