My experience was truly life-changing

From the moment she became involved in Children’s Walk, Anna Goshko, Integrated Insights Lead, Global Product Strategy at Roche, was passionate about the impact it could have and the vital importance of its message.

“Every child deserves access to education, healthcare, nutrition, and a safe and nurturing environment, yet millions of children around the world are denied these basic rights,” she says.

Selected as an Ambassador in 2018 when she was based at Roche Ukraine, Anna visited Ethiopia to see the work done by UNICEF in the Tigray region, which is now at the centre of an ongoing civil conflict.1 This included “Child to child”, a children’s educational programme where, thanks to Re&Act, over 45,000 children across the country have benefited by becoming trainers or being trained, with older children tutoring younger ones.

The sights she saw and stories she heard during her visit left a deep impression on her.

“I had the opportunity to meet with children and families who have been directly impacted by poverty, conflict, and lack of access to education and basic resources,” she says. “I saw first-hand the challenges that these children and families face, but I also witnessed the incredible resilience, strength, and determination that they possess. I was deeply inspired by the dedication of the teachers, caregivers, and community leaders who are working tirelessly to support these children and provide them with the tools they need to succeed.”

The projects in Tigray were part of a larger Re&Act-funded UNICEF programme to improve access to early childhood education programmes in Tigray, Somali, Oromia and Southern Nations Nationalities and People’s regions. As well as the Child-to-child initiative, the programme included parental education and involvement, Accelerated School Readiness, and “O”-class – a one-year pre-primary class which is attached to the formal primary schools.

“I saw the tremendous impact that education can have in breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a brighter future for children and their families,” says Anna. “My experience as an Ambassador was truly transformative, and it has had a lasting impact on me. It reminded me of the power of human connection, the importance of empathy and compassion, and the incredible potential that lies within every child.”