Supporting Education in West and Central Africa

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Education shapes lives, unlocks potential, and builds stronger societies. On this International Day of Education, we share glimpses of the work of UN Volunteers who make learning more accessible and inclusive across West and Central Africa.

In northeast Nigeria, where conflict has displaced thousands, UN Volunteer Mary Mahdi Bumba works with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) as a Digital Literacy Facilitator. Mary’s journey began by addressing the digital gender gap, equipping girls in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and schools with essential tech skills. As her initiative grew, boys and adults joined in, learning practical skills like social media marketing and graphic design.

These tools go beyond the classroom.

UN Volunteers Drive Digital Solutions

Naomie Masika Mwamutsi
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Two UN Volunteers, Blasio Amoche and Mohamed Gololcha, are showcasing how digital innovation when paired with a commitment to service, can transform and enhance sustainable development. Their work highlights the vital role of young experts in creating change. 

As a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist with the World Food Programme (WFP) in Isiolo County, Blasio harnesses digital tools like mobile data collection and data visualization to turn complex information into actionable insights.

One Volunteer’s Fight Against Human Trafficking in Africa

Akola Munyiri - Project Support Associate at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA)
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About 49.6 million individuals are currently trapped in modern slavery, with one in four victims being children, according to a 2022 report published by the International Labor Organization. This crime is so prevalent that it is happening right now and in every country around the world. It has grown exponentially to become the second-largest black market after the illicit drug trade.  

Ending human trafficking is, therefore, no small feat. It requires a coordinated effort from international organizations, member states, NGOs, and survivors who have turned their trauma into advocacy. UN volunteers have also become an integral part of the parties joining to fight and prevent this crime.  

Among these volunteers is Akola Munyiri, who served as a Project Support Associate at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for Eastern Africa (ROEA) in Nairobi, Kenya. Today, Akola’s experience provides us with an insider's look at the vital work that volunteers do to fight against trafficking.  

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