Learn how children across these beautiful islands are working to overcome poverty, exclusion, and youth unemployment — and how communities are helping them stay in school, stay hopeful, and stay seen.
Cape Verde is known for its peace, democracy, and vibrant culture. But beneath the surface of this island nation, many children face isolation, inequality, and limited future prospects. These are the three most pressing issues affecting them today:
Many children grow up in households with unstable income or seasonal work, especially in rural islands. When young people leave school, there are few job opportunities, leading to early dropout and hopelessness.
While education access is strong in urban areas, children on remote islands often lack adequate schools, trained teachers, or transportation. These gaps lead to uneven academic outcomes and higher dropout rates — especially among rural girls.
In many parts of Cape Verde, children with physical or intellectual disabilities face stigma and isolation. Schools are not always equipped for inclusion, and families often lack the resources to provide care or advocacy.
Despite these challenges, Uganda’s children remain full of hope — dreaming of education, health, and opportunities for a better tomorrow.
At iam4allkids.org, we shine a light on the quiet struggles of island life — and the children facing exclusion not by conflict, but by geography, poverty, and social neglect. We work with local organizations creating paths to learning, dignity, and inclusion for every child.
We:
Share stories of youth overcoming economic hardship and academic gaps
Support island-based education and transportation initiatives that connect children to opportunity
Uplift programs making education accessible to children with disabilities
In an archipelago where some children are easily overlooked, we help ensure no one is forgotten.
Cape Verde is a nation of promise — but for many children, promise alone isn’t enough.
Many young people leave school due to limited career paths and family pressure
Children on rural or mountainous islands face long commutes or poor infrastructure for learning
Children with disabilities are still fighting for the right to be included, supported, and heard
We believe these children deserve not just inclusion, but opportunity — and the tools to define their own futures.
Even on the margins, children are moving forward:
On remote islands, boat programs now bring students to school each day, even across rough seas.
Youth centers are helping teens gain skills in tourism, agriculture, and digital literacy — giving them real hope for work.
Children with disabilities are finally entering classrooms with the support they need to learn and belong.
And thanks to your support, these local efforts are reaching a global community ready to stand with them.
Hope in Cape Verde is quiet — but steady, and rising.
In the capital of Praia and beyond, Associação Colmeia is working with vulnerable teens to reduce school dropout, train job skills, and restore self-confidence. Their youth centers offer tutoring, emotional support, and workshops in everything from solar energy to sewing.
Many students arrive discouraged or disconnected — Colmeia helps them reconnect. The organization also partners with local employers to provide mentorship and internships, giving young people a real bridge from school to opportunity.
For teens growing up with few options, Colmeia becomes a place to be seen, heard, and prepared for a future that once felt out of reach.
Across Cape Verde, many children with disabilities still live in the shadows — excluded from schools and social life. Acarinhar is working to change that by offering direct support to children with special needs and advocating for inclusive policy at the national level.
Through therapy programs, parent support groups, and school inclusion efforts, Acarinhar is helping families understand their rights and helping teachers gain the tools they need to support every student. They also raise public awareness about disability stigma and the importance of accessibility in education.
For many children, Acarinhar is the difference between isolation and belonging — between silence and voice.
In the mountainous island of São Nicolau, students from remote villages once had to hike for hours or skip school entirely. In 2023, a partnership between local NGOs and transport services launched the Island School Ferry Program, providing daily boat and van transportation to connect children with secondary schools.
The difference was immediate: attendance jumped, and students arrived rested, on time, and ready to learn. One child said, “It’s the first time I get to school without missing the morning.”
This simple transportation solution has become a lifeline — turning distance into access.
In 2024, Acarinhar organized Inclusive Education Week in partnership with public schools and local artists. The week featured classroom inclusion training, disability awareness campaigns, art workshops, and a celebration of students with disabilities through music and dance.
Teachers received hands-on tools to adapt learning for diverse needs, and children shared stories of what inclusion meant to them. For many, it was the first time seeing children with disabilities celebrated — not hidden.
The event reshaped the way teachers, students, and families talked about ability — and opened new doors in the process.
Meet the ten organizations making extraordinary strides in improving the lives of Cape Verde’s children — one community at a time.
Supporting vulnerable youth through tutoring, job training, and emotional mentorship.
Advocating for and supporting children with disabilities through inclusive education and therapy.
Providing safe spaces for youth empowerment, education, and mental health support.
Offering family nutrition, health outreach, and disaster relief for vulnerable children.
Supporting early childhood education and school readiness in low-income neighborhoods.
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