Eleven years into the Syrian crisis, Lebanon remains the country with the largest number of refugee children. The education of these children is one of the most challenging, underpromoted needs to date. More than half of refugee children in Lebanon aged 3-18 years of age are still out of school and some have never even attended.

READ Foundation has been working with a partner on the ground implementing an innovative programme; School in a Bus, which is a mobile classroom aimed at reaching 300 children aged 6-14 annually. This bus drives around the refugee camps in Beqaa, Lebanon and gives up to 300 children basic education every month. Due to the difficulties in establishing a solid structure of a school and geographical challenges of the camps, this solution allows READ Foundation to provide valuable education to children who are growing up without any form of structured learning.

Educational supervisors and teachers are equipped with facilities and kits, such as interactive whiteboards, books and stationery and teach a Basic Literacy and Numeracy (BLN) programme. They cover the syllabus equivalent to grades 1-3 in the Lebanese national curriculum. The BLN programme is aligned with Lebanons educational standards; thus, its successful completion will help students continue their studies in Lebanons formal education system.

School in a bus not only provides a quality education in a safe and effective environment, it also provides the children psychosocial support. It allows children to build an individual social, emotional and educational base that shall afford them social and professional choices in future challenges and opportunities.

Even in the most trying environments, READ Foundation seeks to provide stability, hope for a brighter future, a sense of belonging and necessities to children in need. The funds raised from this bike ride will support them in doing this for refugee children in Beqaa, Lebanon.