Brave beginnings - a young girl’s school journey
UNICEF is dedicated to ensuring that all girls and boys in Somalia can enjoy their right to a quality education no matter their circumstances.
Meet Amina Hassan, a young five-year-old girl from Arlaadi IDP camp on the outskirts of Dhusamareeb town in Galmudug state. Amina and her family left their home due to drought in 2021 and settled in the camp where they depend on humanitarian support. Despite the challenges she has gone through, Amina's bright spirit has never wavered.
Every morning, Amina wakes up early, eager to go to the temporary learning center set up in the camp. The center is a place where children like Amina can continue their education and dream of a better future. Amina loves going to school as it provides her a sense of normalcy and hope.
At the center, Amina's eyes light up as she listens to the teachers share stories and reveal new things. She is diligent, always eager to learn. Amina's favorite subject is mathematics, and she excels in solving simple problems.
Amina dreams of becoming a teacher one day, so that “I help other children like me to receive an education and realize their full potential.”
As Amina walks back to her home after a day spent at the center, she is filled with a sense of pride and determination. She knows that education is her key to a brighter future, and she is grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow during adversity. Amina's story in the IDP camp is not just one of struggle, but also of resilience, hope, and the power of education to transform lives.
Under the Education in Emergencies response, UNICEF is supporting 43 schools in Galmudug State, benefitting a total of 4,842 students. In South Galkayo, there are 13 such schools, the majority located in IDP sites. The programme employs the Accelerated Basic Education approach which allows lagging children a pathway to formal schooling. The programme also uses education as an entry point for the delivery of other services such as WASH, child protection, and nutrition.
The Arladi IDP temporary learning center has five teachers operating two classrooms, accommodating a total of 149 students. UNICEF provides the children with clean, safe drinking water, learning materials, and a monthly stipend for the teachers, thanks to funding from the Government of Japan and the Global Partnership for Education.
