Agenda 2030: Article 1: Fight against poverty
Goal 1 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development concerns the eradication of poverty in all its forms. Very often, when we hear the word "poverty," we immediately think of basic needs, such as hunger and thirst, or the ability to live in comfortable housing. These are fundamental needs, and indeed, among the various points explicitly addressed in this first goal, ensuring a dignified future for all is rightly mentioned.
However, there is a form of poverty that is very insidious, precisely because it receives insufficient attention: it is called "educational poverty." According to a 2020 report, in Cyprus, 10% of children are not proficient in reading and 8% do not reach the Minimum Proficiency Level (MPL) by the end of primary school. These children often live in disadvantaged social and cultural conditions: suburban areas, places with limited access to culture, vulnerable families, material poverty, and a lack of an adequate social network. Children who have never visited a museum, who don't read, don't play sports, or don't have access to the internet. All this means that school is often a child's only cultural hub, the only point of reference for a "different" future. Mus-e's commitment is to bring these schools, these children, a profound and lasting project that helps them—together with their teachers and families—develop the resilience and skills necessary for adulthood.
We are convinced that art, in all its forms, can help children develop transversal skills such as empathy, self-esteem, respect, and the ability to solve complex problems, which children would struggle to acquire in their home environment.
Combating educational poverty is a priority for Mus-e, which is why we work in the most vulnerable contexts, choosing only highly professional artists.
What are our goals for 2030?
• Triple the number of children involved in Cyprus: currently, there are about 450, but we would like to involve many more!
• Intensify our work in schools, especially in the most marginalized areas, small villages, and isolated territories.
• Increase the involvement of children's families to support their children's education.
If you want to help us overcome this wonderful challenge, you can do so by supporting us: donate now and let's move forward together towards a successful 2030!