25 Of The Most Dangerous And Unusual Journeys To School In The World
The school year start may be a delight (or dismay) to millions of kids around the globe. However, it’s important not to forget that, in some parts of the world, even an elementary school education can be a hard-won luxury. Some of the children have to take the most dangerous roads in the world to receive the education that some of us may take for granted. If school way might seem boring to kids in wealthier countries, these little ones are surely glad to have a chance at a better future. This list we collected will show you just how determined some children can be when it comes to getting an education; especially with the dangerous journeys and long ways home after school they have to endure.
According to UNESCO, progress in connecting children to schools in third world countries has slowed down over the past couple of years. Areas that lack suitable school routes can often flood, making it even harder for kids to commute. Dangerous paths and the obstacles on the way to school are one of the main reasons why many children decide to quit education.
The solution might seem straightforward: build roads and bridges, buy buses and hire a driver. However, the lack of funds and recurring natural disasters in many countries make it difficult to provide children with the solutions they so desperately need.
(h/t: amusingplanet)
5-Hour Journey Into The Mountains On A 1ft Wide Path To Probably The Most Remote School In The World, Gulu, China
Image credits: Sipa Press
Schoolchildren Climbing On Unsecured Wooden Ladders, Zhang Jiawan Village, Southern China
Image credits: Imaginachina/Rex Features
Kids Traveling To A Boarding School Through The Himalayas, Zanskar, Indian Himalayas
Image credits: Timothy Allen
Pupils Crossing A Damaged Suspension Bridge, Lebak, Indonesia
After the story spread, Indonesia’s largest steel producer, PT Krakatau Steel, built a new bridge, so that the children could cross the river safely. (Image credits: Reuters)
Kids Flying 800m On A Steel Cable 400m Above The Rio Negro River, Colombia
Image credits: Christoph Otto
Pupils Canoeing To School, Riau, Indonesia
Image credits: Nico Fredia
Kids Traveling Through The Forest Across A Tree Root Bridge, India
Source: The Atlantic
A Girl Riding A Bull To School, Myanmar
Image credits: Andrey
Riding a Tuktuk (Auto Rickshaw) To School In Beldanga, India
Image credits: Dilwar Mandal
Crossing a Broken Bridge In The Snow To Get To School In Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province, China
Image credits: Imaginechina / Rex Features
Children Traveling On The Roof Of A Wooden Boat In Pangururan, Indonesia
Image credits: Muhammad Buchari
School Girls Walking Across A Plank On The Wall Of The 16th Century Galle Fort In Sri Lanka
Image credits: Reuters/Vivek Prakash
Pupils Traveling By Boat in Kerala, India
Image credits: Santosh Sugumar
Schoolchildren Riding A Horse Cart Back From School In Delhi, India
Image credits: Reuters
Students Crossing Ciherang River On A Makeshift Bamboo Raft, Cilangkap Village, Indonesia
Image credits: Reuters/Beawiharta Beawiharta
125-Mile Journey To A Boarding School Through The Mountains, Pili, China
Image credits: unknown
Pupils Walking On A Tightrope 30 Feet Above A River, Padang, Sumatra, Indonesia
Image credits: Panjalu Images / Barcroft Media
Elementary School Students Crossing A River On Inflated Tire Tubes, Rizal Province, Philippines
Image credits: Dennis M. Sabangan / EPA
Image credits: Bullit Marquez /AP
I'm going to show these to my students, and remind them that there ARE people in this world that realize the importance of education!
U.S. student should watch these images every day during a moment of silence so they can understand how privileged they are.
2 me as a kid this would be so fun & exciting-
as should you, a more natural way of life hardens ones self-
we do very much we learn we started leaning things like this in 2017
Agreed
I agree with you!
As long as my air conditioning is still on in my Bentley we are ok.
I fully agree with you because some of the students simply waste the time and don't appriciate what they have.
actually most actually do enjoy the fact we have school most of us like to earn our way to the top
Great respect !!! I plan to do the same !!!
Wow, Its a good idea :)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/vietnam/10710817/Vietnamese-children-cross-river-in-plastic-bags-to-reach-school.html
me either!
well said (Y)
sending prayers for safe travels for these youngsters....we as americans are way too soft to have endured any of this....
Try walking through gang infested territory in Detroit.
really? try walking through a village with no structure, controlled by militia, and random gunfire (or rpgs/missile fire) every hour or so.
then will we have the best country in the world. Im done venting now :)
flows in the direction that we show them so how about we parents just do our parts and raise our children to appreciate things and maybe
they become shit people but if a child grow up in great communities and intelligent people then they become admirable adults. Our generation
out the way they are because of the lack of parenting and our government. Children grow up in a shit community and with shit people then
page concerning our children. Also, we blame our children for how they turn out but let me tell all of you Americans that our children turn
Way to take the focus off how kids are travelling across dangerous areas to get an education, and onto yourself. Hope you got an education.
get to school as well. If someone was to do a 25 of the most Dangerous journeys getting to school then Americans will feel sorry for them as
imagine my children walking through gang infested territory so I do feel for our American children trying to protect their lives trying to
maybe they would rather stay at home and feel they dont need education. the thing is, our American children have it just as hard. I couldn't
to school and Im sure they do appreciate the education they will be getting but whos to say they aint being forced by their parents to go,
I am so sick of Americans thinking that we have it so good while other countries suffer. Yes, these children do have it extremely hard getti
Yeah I'd my chances with the mountain....
well but this is about other countries so ofcourse people are gonna only see their issues and be blinded by our issues UNTIL someone makes a
Don't you live in West Palm Beach?
speak for your self. Not everyone in America has been pampered and coddled.
@EmmaTanglevine No, but I did have to walk through gang-filled, crime-ridden neighborhoods. Different worlds, both not safe.
...sorry you had to cross shark infested waters and travel over rickety bridges to go to school...
Wow! And parents here won't let their child take a 5 minute walk to school by themselves...
Nope. I most certainly will not! Not with paedophiles about, kidnapping and road rage that goes on in my country. And I live in Australia!!
Yeah gotta watch out for the pedos here in australia especially since *most* acts of paedophilia are committed by family member or friend
calm down
That's what you call an over protective parent
If you left your child in a random public space the average wait for its kidnapping would be 700,000 years. The media over does the danger somewhat because it makes good copy.
There might not be so much road rage if parents WALKED their kids to school instead of driving them. What kidnappings? I live in Aus too!
Thank you julija! Powerful images and an apt reminder of the importance of education.
beautiful and powerful stuff !
This is really motivational i have to take my education seriously!
But I have finished it with wasting so much time.... no chance any more
Shoud add this http://vnexpress.net/photo/thoi-su/cau-treo-ron-nguoi-o-vung-cao-quang-ngai-3032091.html My country Vietnam
Do you know any more places in Vietnam that has this issue? We would love to help out.
Hi MichaelLe, please add my fb: hiepnguyen215 if you want know more places in Vietnam.
You can find out the key word about VNs student on google if you really would like to help
woow may God bless u Abundantly
This is a link to our Facebook page called Fundraise For Vietnam. https://www.facebook.com/FundraiseForVietnam You can contact us here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alUEe8nGVoE
Hi Kieu. I jus watched the video and I am moved! I want to do more to help as well as my organisation called Fundraise For Vietnam.
Thanks Hiep. I just sent you a message on Facebook and I'm looking forward to your response.
Picture in Sri Lanka is of girls on a school trip to the Gallefort taking a short cut over a plank.Thats not how they go to school for sure.
You're correct. As a person who has lived in Galle, I can guarantee that children there do not go to school like this!
The truth twisted to be a little sensational. I wonder how many of the other pictures are simply kids on field trips as well?
These pictures are real eye openers. Must show them to my grand children. Then hopefully they will appriciate how easy they are having it.!!
I thought Africa was worse until i saw these
Yo anyone down to play some Roblox?
thegreenfrog70
these roads look risky
i know
cool
I will show these to the pupil, too
I know that is very scary and dangerous, but just the smile on their faces made my day.My mom used to walk 6 kilometers to the school every
Going to share this with my students. It's good to know that there are still people in this world that realize the importance of education!
you forgot the kids that have to walk to school in Chicago.
its COLOMBIA not ColUmbia!!
The pictures are beautiful, the message inspirational and all you have to comment on is the spelling of a word. Look at the big picture.
Couldn't agree more.
I agree but Colombia is very different from Columbia. Just a minor correction that's been blown out of proportion... yet again.
In Xhosa its Kholombiya,,, so lets face the real issues here
I believe between your 3 names you should ad a space....
I'm Romanian and my language translates Colombia as Columbia, so whoever says it's not right, yes it is depending on where you were born
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
In Spanish, but in English it is Columbia.
No, the country Colombia is spelled Colombia. Not to be confused with District of Columbia or Columbia, SC.
Wow. Yall really argueing over a misspelling. ...thats so pathetic theres more serious issues to argue about than a fucking misspell!!
Columbus in Italian is Colombo. So, it is definitely Colombia, and not Columbia
Are you kidding me? It has NEVER been COLUMBIA in English or another language!!
@AdrianaPridgen It's "you're" not "your". If you are gonna complain for a misspelling at least do it right.
In Croatian it's Kolumbija, from Kolumbo (Columbus), so it's probably an honest mistake.
AdrianaPridgen, don't be such a hypocrite! (your/you're) The spelling doesn't even matter, there are much more important issues to discuss.
Lindsey, your an idiot! The country is COLOMBIA and is spelled as such period.
Colombia for Columbus, not Columbia. The Country is ColOmbia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colombia
The name of the country is COLOMBIA!!! Lindsey your an idiot, the spelling does not change. Maybe you should go back to school.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
it´s COLOMBIA !!!!!!! Please Lindsay go back to School to learn more about Geographic!
Geography, not geographic.
Adriana, it's you're an idiot not your an idiot. Apparently, you need to oh back to school too...
U need to go back to school with lindsay. hahaha
Linday and u need to go back to school, jamie said. Lol
And people keep their children in strollers until they're WAY too old in some parts of this country...
I wish there were more teachers in these areas so children wouldn't have to travel like this to get an education!
what is this i what to do one
faat
fat
not bad
Walking on a sideways bridge. THIS HAS GONE TO FAR!!!!!
If I were one of those students I would be scared about going to school just because of the journey.
How much children struggle to get education inorder to improve their future prospects. I will definitely show this to my students and also my children. Every one must realise the value of education.
Very nice
Please say the kids are okay even if they fall off of that broken wire bridge.
OMG I will never do any of these things.
Nice Article. But the photo "School Girls Walking Across A Plank On The Wall Of The 16th Century Galle Fort In Sri Lanka" seem to be taken while on a school trip. Galle Fort is a popular tourist destination. Not a remote or rural area. Again nice article. Love from Sri Lanka. Hope you would visit our beautiful country someday. ❤️.
THis is lity fam 5126OeyoAO...5c0b91.jpg
The question is:how many have died to to school
These people spend a hard time to improve themselves, attending their school classes, going through a very dangerous truck
fa
These people spend a hard time to improve themselves, attending their school classes, going through a very dangerous truck, it is impressive
Helicopter parents would benefit from this article to help them realise how safe their children are.
I rather die than go on a mountain just so you can go to school.
I started an organization i progress, and it focuses on these problems
I want to tell some thing about the photo that taken in Sri Lanka. Actually that heading mislead the story. That old fort situated in the busy city Galle , not a risky or dangerous place to people and there are many roads , offices , schools and private residences are located inside the fort. And also , the fort is a famous tourist destination for locals and foreigners. This photo seems some school girls with their teacher , walking on the rampart (not risky or dangerous at all) and crossing a 'cut' safely.
zipline I think it would be fun. climb 125 miles I think it would be dangerous. broken bridge would be an adventur
What bravery!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I don't get how these kids afford uniforms...?
these students love education.
5 of these places are in Indonesia. I wonder why I'm not surprised.
I'd home school.
If the parents are allowing their children to risk their life to go to school, what makes you think they have the education to be able to homeschool?
Awesome!
poor kids! The price of knowledge-
who would make a kid walk a plank!?! and cross a broken bridge
this is very dangerous and its crazy, it is not normal 5A ahi koleji
this is very dangerous and it is not normal 5A class Ahi koleji
I live in Galle Sri lanka and there is no way students have to go cross the Galle fort like that. I think all the other pictures are legit
thats harribal
Here in Brazil is the same.
They are looking for a real change...
This will make children more fiercely independent. I'll show this to my future kids. Nephews. And my siblings.
These photos are incredible! Education is such a rare and precious commodity that we dare not take it for granted.
The girl flying over the river.... (Kids Flying 800m On A Steel Cable 400m Above The Rio Negro River, Colombia) - Admiration!!! and respect.
It's even more crazy when you realize her little brother is in that burlap bag. I watched a documentary on it.
great learning tool and fantastic resource for english and social science could be used for all ages!!
Even looking at these heights makes my stomach turn. These kids all look happy and confident and eager to learn. ( I live below sealevel!)
Incredible pictures about the struggle that some kids go through to LEARN. And stupid comments about the suffering in a first world country
I saw, some pictures came from my country Indonesia, :(
Such bravery.. Priceless! We salute you all..
I think somebody should fix up those things for the kids can be safe
Who knows some of these schoolchildren might be the Prime Minister or President of their country and improve their educational system !
there are a courages students
Nowadays, students are so pampered that they do not stop complaining. Showing them these photos will help to depict how lucky they are.
That's crazy!!!!!!!
que para el que quiere y tiene fe todo es posible
Hey I found the best site for exploring PERSIA/IRAN http://www.magij.co.uk/ Explore ancient PERSIA, Book Persia Tours travel packages Pla
Hey I found the best site for exploring PERSIA/IRAN http://www.magij.co.uk/ Explore ancient PERSIA, Book Persia Tours travel packages Pla
speechless!!!
Is anybody like the bill gates foundation doing anything to better their situation. If I had that kind of money and resources I'd make a few
When I saw it. I fell brearking Heart. :( I want to do something help them! I wish.. i become Heros right now And Fix it!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/21/kids-cross-river-in-plastic-bag-school-video_n_5002877.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/21/kids-cross-river-in-plastic-bag-school-video_n_5002877.html
These children has a very strong determination no reason at all NOT to go to school
You forgot one. Palestinian children must run a gauntlet of violent Jewish settlers to and from school. See EAPPI.
I think you hate Jews. It is interesting that you fail to mention so many Jewish Israeli children who are not alive because they were murdered by Palestinians. It is so much more comfortable to spread lies about Israelies , isn't it ?
Me parecen un ejemplo de vida. Ese compromiso y deseos que tienen por ir a la escuela cuando hay tantos que no van por desidia y desinterés.
WOW!!! Obviously parent of these children highly value education. We are very lucky and I take that for granted!
No words
goverment should take a look a it because "the children are the future".
I am student, and I dont want to travel like that, I mean, my parents want let me go to school to come from it.
Not every child on earth was blessed with a yellow school bus...
Not every pupil on earth is blessed with a yellow school bus. Saba-Dada-Danny
...
what a phenomenal display of the desire for education, at the risk of life!!
They are what motivates me to not quit civil engineering school so I can perhaps give kids proper transportation to get an education one day
it looks cool and very bad
some look cool and look hand
If I had to do any of this I would be scared out of my mind.
My kids are lucky
heeem..., indonesia has 5 nominators in this nominations. How poor we are...
insane
wow scary.
Amis des sensations fortes..... bonjour ! On a pas à se plaindre avec nos grêves des transports annuels.....
some students have the opportunity to study in better conditions, but they don`t grasp it.
Unbelievable images....such determination!
Perfect for my pupils! On the first school day I told them about children in some parts of the world going through ordeals to get to school!
If kids did this in America, they would WANT to go to school. They simply have no drive because entertainment is less than an adrenalinerush
This traveling itself is education!Kids of the wealthy world getting weaker with no risks,no danger.Only knowing 'how to behave',how to obey
Wow! A lot of nice fake pictures! Chinese are clever, they get funds raised then spend it building communism !
really we were lucky in our time ...... but we are unlucky with all facilities, we never done good study... and we talk extra till now.
And still those kids, I guarantee, they're happier and more grateful than first world spoiled little shits!!!
For school? It is not that important.
I'm jealous of the zip line, how awesome is that!
I will definitely demonstrate it to my university students to compare and develop their critical thinking and add to their motivation.
Thank you for these brilliant photos - a "must share"! - in a world where so many with so much get so stressed out about such little things!
I like the way of Colombia (:
No comments,just Salute to these kids, these kids, there are people in this world that realize the importance of education!
I don't think that the Chinese government has been defeated to build bridges across those rivers! This is just a publicity stunt!
Struggle for education. Hope improved situation sooner for better education.
Never thought deeply of the long held belief that wisdom and knowledge are more precious than silver and gold.Now i know. Give it to them !
Life is not easy but has fun, at times dangerous and risky. Knowledge and wisdom then i agree are the most precious things on earth.
I'am out of words. It is soo sad really it is so sad. What is the job of the government in these areas? mxm and the little boy Lebak yooh
Amazing Images. Impossible to believe. That has to help us not to complain
some scence like Viet Nam :v
Wow. The power of education really comes alive seeing the stories of these kids. I pray for their safety and for more accessible access.
I hardly wait for the next Snow Day!
Dangerous indeed. But the Mercies and Grace of the good Lord...
I want to add the story of Palestinian children in At-Tuwani (West-bank) http://tuwaniresiste.operazionecolomba.it/?p=3255
I want to add the story of Palestinian children in At-Tuwani (West-bank) ..http://tuwaniresiste.operazionecolomba.it/?p=3255
Don't read the comments!!!
This has made me realise that the we are spoilt by touch of buttons for everything!
I'm really ashamed with my country. Almost all of them are from Indonesia. I hope my goverment will solve these problems soon.
Eager to learn!!!
We have engage the Government of these countries and see that they take immediate action to alleviate this dreaded situation. Let's do it
All the days we cut school when all we had to do was show up after a 15 minute trip. These kids are determined to educate themselves.
and parents drive our kids to school when they live less than a kilometre away!!!!
the Kids in Europ shoul watch all this. So they will never ever blame the Busdriver while beeing late.
nothing
Wow. Some people really have to work hard at getting their education
Am deeply touched by all these images,i salute all these pupils s courage .Its a lesson to all of us,we should never take school for granted
How 'bout Vietnam ?http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/vietnam/10710817/Vietnamese-children-cross-river-in-plastic-bags-to-reac
The goverment much like to spent more on its budget on military equipements rather than constructing roads in rural areas.
And I thought walking 10 miles daily to school in Kampala Uganda was hard life!! I would go back to the 10 miles instead
it's so powerful and sad :( please don't forget the Palestinian children who are passing through Israeli checkpoints on their way toschool
Favorite part: "After the story spread... PT Krakatau Steel built a new bridge so that the children could cross the river safely."
Pussies. I was taught by nuns.
Pussys. I was taught by nuns.
Very unfortunate but at the same time very amazing to see kids taking so much risk to go to school.
ዛሬ ልቤን ከነኩት ጉዳዮች መካከል፡
Son imagenes para compartir a todos los seres comodos que viven en Buenos Aires y desertan la escuela secundaria!!
My concerned is that, in all these contry now that lack basic functional means of education, governers leave lussery life sgandering found..
The Sri Lankan example is just kids jumping over walls at a tourist site. The stairs are to the left. Come-opted to sensationalize!
*co-opted. I wonder how many of the others are twisted to carry a point. We're all just an unidentifiable Brown mass to be pitied right?
ulitimate pics
I can't believe this is not included; https://bulusanruralvagabond.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/student-express2-1024x768.jpg?w=750
I'm going to show this to my 8 years old boy who is participating to Unicef fund racing because he wants to help other children.
These are very determined people, and this is a must-see, in all privileged schools.
THIS IS WHY PEOPLE HATE AMERICA, TODAY'S YOUTH HATE GOING TO SCHOOL AND THESE KIDS WOULD KILL FOR A BUS RIDE
I love cows
This dedication to education is profound. I have to share this with my students, family, and friends and if possible the world at large.
محدش بيتعلمها بالساهل
Its a must see.........
five times for indonesia :-(
Bravo à ces enfants courageux!
oh god.. i remembered, i was so lazy when i had to go to school. even need only 5 minutes to get there. how shame on me
They just want to survive, survive from the beast of "life" that always had own rules about "life". May GOD always give them power..aamiin.
Reasons to home school!
I consider myself luck because I never had to face any such hurdle
Too heartbreaking and devastating
Wow , that's so amazing and awe-inspiring !!
They embrace their situation but decides to go to school…I hope I can help more kids in school & have a better future!…show this to my son!
Sin palabras ..... Increíble .....
NPR story today re: a man in Chicago who retired early to walk his son to school daily. Son graduated...valedictorian!
The true gold is education. yah, that i see.
WHAT DO I THINK ??? NOTHING !!!!!!
Cruda realidad que enfrentan muchos estudiantes, admirable la necesidad de educación por encima de poner en riesgo su propia vida.
We're obviously spoilt and don't appreciate what we have.
COOOL I WANNA GO I LOVE SCHOOL LIKE THAT
Indonesia:')
Indonesia:')
JESUS...THIS IS CRAZY
This is Super Duper Dangerous
It is super duper dangerous
it's not a big deal for me i used to walk 3hr to reach my school