Many cultures and religions around the world maintain traditions that cause physical harm. Why are so many practiced on young girls? A locked wooden box symbolizes the “closing” of a girl to protect the family’s honor. (Illustration by News Decoder.)...
When war broke out in Sudan, schools and universities across the country shut down causing an educational crisis that affected some 19 million children. Sudanese students, who mostly came to Egypt after the war in Sudan, line up to sing the national anthem in front of...
We absorb ideas the way we absorb language, not through argument but through immersion, until the position becomes indistinguishable from thought itself. A woman holds an Ethiopian flag at a ceremony to remember soldiers who died. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 3 November...
Candidates make a lot of political promises. Why can’t they keep the vow to leave office when their term is up? Côte d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara speaks during his final campaign rally in Abidjan, 23 October 2025. (AP Photo/Misper Apawu) This...
Parents love it when a kid reads books. Playing video games, not so much. What if the latter could be a career? Would the approval flip? A teen playing video games. (Photo by Kevin Malik/Pexels) This article, by student, Shadrach Massaquoi, was produced out of News...
Society places value on being social. When we choose to bow out, people wonder what’s wrong. But sometimes healthy “me time” means: Just me. Two teens make fun of one who sits alone. (Illustration by News Decoder) This article, by student, Mahara...
Society often puts people into one of two categories: Intelligent and worthy of attention, or stupid and ignored. But who sets the standards we must live up to? A teen works out a mathematical formula. (Illustration by News Decoder) This article, by student,...
Children are often told: pipe down, keep quiet, shhh! But just maybe they have things to say that are worth hearing. A young man puts his finger to his lips. (Photo by Konstantin Postumitenko, Prostock-studio) This article, by student Ngesihle Dlamini, was produced...
We are faced with a world full of disaster and suffering but feel powerless. The result? We stop caring. Hands grasped in empathy. (Photo by Prostock-studio) This article by student Hamza Mohamed Ramadan Zahran was produced out of News Decoder’s school partnership...
There seems little point in trying when our chances are small that we will score big. But only when we accept disappointment can we realize our potential. A basketball player tries to make a shot. (Photo by dotshock) This article by student Jeremy Gitiba was produced...