Feature by Abdifatah Hassan Ali, UNICEF Voices of Youth blogging intern on a field trip with UNICEF and the European Union on the joint urban water project:
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Istarlin Mohamed is only 17, but has already suffered more hardship than others would face in a lifetime. She lives in a small camp for the internally displaced, in Dollow District of Gedo Region. She already has three children and has been married and divorced twice.
The After School club at Arabsyo Gabilay primary school, Somaliland received three visitors keen to spread information about the importance of immunization. The three visitors, a local religious leader and two people working on the UNICEF supported Behaviour Change Communication program in Schools in Gabilay district of Somaliland.
It may sound strange – but being a young person in Somalia today is a golden opportunity. It is the youth who have the chance to re-build a country which suffered years of war - where every sector of life needs change makers, peace promoters, scientists, entrepreneurs and fresh young leaders who are full of positive energy.
A proud group of 350 young people took part in a graduation ceremony after successfully completing a course under the UNICEF peace building programme. The young people celebrated in front of guests at the Youth Education Pack (YEP) centre in Mogadishu.
“I am not going to go in the bush again. I will begin digging the pit tomorrow”. After making his declaration, 11 year old Abdi Rashid sat down abruptly beside the other children. He was born in this village, Quotay in Somalia, moved temporarily across the nearby border to Kenya for school, and returned to look after the family’s animals.