Mo Salah becomes first ambassador for UN refugee schools programme
Footballer Mo Salah is the first ambassador for a schools programme to help refugees in his native Egypt and other countries.
This year alone the project will create 20 new Egyptian digital schools by transforming existing classrooms into online hubs for learning and sport.
In his role as ambassador for Instant Network Schools, which provides refugees and host-country pupils with a digital education, the Liverpool
star will visit some of the schools supported by the programme. He is hoping to raise awareness of the need and importance of high-quality education for refugee children.
The initiative aims to provide education to 500,000 pupils by 2025.
Instant Network Schools was set up in 2013 to give young refugees, host communities and their teachers access to digital learning content and the internet to improve the quality of education in some of Africa’s most marginalised communities.
The programme has helped more than 86,500 pupils and 1,000 teachers, ensuring that refugees and children from host communities have access to accredited, quality and relevant learning opportunities.
Dominique Hyde, UNHCR’s Director of External Relations, said the star would boost the programme: “On and off the football field, Mohamed is a positive and inspirational role model for youth all around the world. His optimism and passion perfectly align with the Instant Network Schools programme.”