Caritas MONA

Articles 28 and 29 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognize every child’s right to education and its essential role in their growth and development.

At Caritas Djibouti, we turn this right into concrete opportunities. Around thirty children and young people are supported in their educational journey: from learning the basics — reading, writing and counting — to collège, while one of our young people attends a vocational school.

Alongside school, we offer activities in French and English, mathematics, art, creativity and play: opportunities to learn, express themselves, develop their skills and spend time together.

A precious contribution comes from our French and American volunteers, who, together with our animators, share their time, skills and enthusiasm.

Because for us, education means much more than acquiring knowledge: it means fostering integration, developing independence and giving every child the tools to build their own future.

Fr:
Les articles 28 et 29 de la Convention des Nations Unies relative aux droits de l’enfant reconnaissent le droit de chaque enfant à l’éducation et son rôle essentiel dans sa croissance et son développement.

À Caritas Djibouti, nous transformons ce droit en opportunités concrètes. Une trentaine d’enfants et de jeunes sont accompagnés dans leur parcours scolaire : des premiers apprentissages — lire, écrire et compter — jusqu’au collège, tandis que l’un de nos jeunes fréquente une école professionnelle.

En complément de l’école, nous proposons des activités de français et d’anglais, de mathématiques, d’art, de créativité et de jeux : des moments pour apprendre, s’exprimer, développer ses capacités et vivre ensemble.

Une contribution précieuse vient de nos volontaires français et américains qui, aux côtés de nos animateurs, partagent leur temps, leurs compétences et leur enthousiasme.

Car pour nous, éduquer signifie bien plus que transmettre des connaissances : c’est favoriser l’intégration, développer l’autonomie et donner à chaque enfant les outils pour construire son propre avenir.

Mr. Karam Abi Yazbeck, Regional Coordinator of Caritas MONA, during his mission to Iraq, has met with His Beatitude Mar Paul III Nona, Chaldean Patriarch, to strengthen dialogue, solidarity, and collaboration in support of communities across the region.

Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the right of all children—everywhere, all the time—to rest, to play and recreation appropriate to their age and to participation in cultural life and the arts. As part of its KIPOS ('Garden' in Greek) Enrichment Center, Caritas Cyprus offers activities that accommodate child learners year-round as well as camps designed specifically for children in the summer.

Year-round programming includes family visits to local museums that introduce children and their parents to Cypriot history and art collections, arts and crafts activities, game playing, language learning and homework help. Summer camp activities have ranged from juggling and gymnastics to robotics and chemistry and have been organized both at the Caritas Center in Nicosia and at the Kofinou Reception Center in Larnaca district.

Programming of this kind supports the cognitive, social and physical development of children at the age when it matters most and it reaches those whose families cannot afford the private lessons, clubs and sports that many take for granted. For migrant children recovering from displacement and trauma, structured play and shared activity also provide routine, regular contact with peers and familiarity with the culture of the country they now call home. These are the conditions on which meaningful integration can be built.

Caritas MONA stands in heartfelt solidarity with all communities affected by the devastating floods across Asia and beyond.

Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods, and with families who have been displaced. We stand with you in prayer and fraternity.

May God comfort those who grieve, protect the vulnerable, and strengthen all those working tirelessly to bring relief and hope. May solidarity, compassion, and collective action help restore hope, dignity, and peace to your communities.

Photo credit Caritas Nepal

Lebanon: Every Child Deserves a Childhood!

Pope Leo XIV's message for the 2026 World Day of Migrants and Refugees, "Even Just One of These Children," calls on institutions to put the best interests of the child first: effective legal protections, family reunification, and a shift from managing migration to protecting human rights. In Lebanon, documentation is where that protection breaks down. Lebanon is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, so refugees hold no formal legal status.

UNHCR has been barred from registering Syrian refugees since 2015, and only about 20% hold valid residency permits, which are costly and difficult to renew. Children of migrant workers under the kafala system are often born without legal identity and risk statelessness, and administrative hurdles keep many undocumented parents from finalizing birth registration, leaving thousands of children legally invisible. Without papers, these children can lose access to school, healthcare, legal work and protection systems, through no fault of their own.

The way forward is clear: simplified birth registration, accessible residency pathways, community and Church accompaniment, and sustained international funding that matches the promises made. Every child deserves a name, a record and a future.

Caritas MONA stands with the Joint Statement “Children on the Move: Rights Without Borders”, issued by Caritas Internationalis, COATNET, RED CLAMOR and RAEMH for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

We support its call to place the dignity, rights and best interests of every child at the heart of our response to migration.

Every child matters. Rights without borders.

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Caritas MONA soutient la Déclaration conjointe « Les enfants en mobilité : des droits sans frontières », publiée par Caritas Internationalis, COATNET, RED CLAMOR et RAEMH à l’occasion de la 112e Journée mondiale du migrant et du réfugié.

Nous soutenons son appel à placer la dignité, les droits et l’intérêt supérieur de chaque enfant au cœur de nos réponses aux migrations.

Chaque enfant compte. Des droits sans frontières.

C.MONA - Google Drive

“Even Just One of These Children”

At the heart of Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees is a call to look beyond statistics and recognize the dignity of every child affected by migration and displacement.
Every child, every human being, possesses an infinite dignity, created in the image and likeness of God.
Every child, every human being, possesses an infinite dignity, for each is created in the image and likeness of God.
The Holy Father reminds us that we cannot remain indifferent, nor become accustomed to such suffering. We are called to open our eyes and hearts, to listen to the stories, fears and dreams of migrant and refugee children, and to ensure that their rights, dignity and future are protected.

We invite you to read the Message of the Holy Father and reflect on its call to protect every migrant and refugee child.

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OXym9KpclNR96jgG_19netD3cAuM-q4z

The Middle East is on fire, while world leaders gather at the United Nations General Assembly.

Caritas Internationalis and Caritas MONA are calling on the international community to act decisively to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria and Iran. Ordinary people continue to face daily bombardment, displacement, and the denial of the most basic conditions for a dignified life, in flagrant violation of international law.

We are calling for an immediate ceasefire, full compliance with international humanitarian law, unrestricted humanitarian access, and accountability for all violations.

Civilians must be protected, everywhere and without exception. Silence in the face of human suffering is to be complicit.

Read the full statement of Caritas in our bio