A day at a safe learning space
Naba’s new life
It is early morning in Kassala. The sun gently illuminates the room that 10-year-old Naba shares with her grandparents. She awakens from her bed, washes her face, and brushes her teeth, preparing for her day at UNICEF’s safe learning space s, also known as a Makanna.
Since she and her mother fled Khartoum and settled in her grandparents' house in June 2023, this has been her daily routine.
At about 8:00 a.m., Naba arrives at Elshargia girls' school, which has been converted into a safe learning space. Some 631 children are hosted here daily, and supported by four facilitators and 15 dedicated volunteers since June 2023 when the gates opened to children affected by the conflict, like Naba. Here, UNICEF and partners offer a wide range of services for children from both host and displaced communities, including counselling, learning, play, art and crafts, clean water, and more.
8:30 a.m., as other children gradually arrive, they greet their friends and facilitators, preparing for the morning assembly. The children receive information about the day's activities and showcase their talents through dancing, singing, and even karate. These simple but effective activities help children forge new routines and support them overcoming past traumatic experiences.
9:00 a.m., when the assembly is completed, children disperse into classes based on their ages and grades. Some attend structured classes with volunteers, while others participate in e-learning sessions.
Over 19 million children have been cut off from structured education. For more than one year now, schools have remained closed. UNICEF safe spaces are providing these children with informal learning opportunities to ensure they don’t forget what they previously learned.
Today, Naba is enrolled in an e-learning class. She wears her blue headset, turns on the tablet, and selects her favourite subject, mathematics. Skilfully answering all the math questions, she achieves a perfect score in her game. The lessons are designed for children to learn through play.
Through the e-learning sessions, children have access to simple literacy, mathematics, Arabic and English sessions.
"I love e-learning because it's presented in an engaging way. I enjoy playing the games," Naba says.
11:00 a.m., it is playing time. After their classes, the children engage in various play activities including basketball, volleyball, table tennis, and rope skipping while some choose to explore their artistic side through arts and crafts. Naba particularly loves basketball. She has gained new friendships through sports.
Group and individual sessions with Noha, a dedicated psychologist, are also available. Noha has been trained by UNICEF to identify and support the children as they navigate through difficult times and heal from trauma. Through the sessions, she provides them with a platform to share experiences, face their fears and express their feelings.
"Some children used to cry a lot, but we started talking to each other and became friends," Naba recollects.
Naba and her peers also enjoy clean water. It is readily available and supports handwashing practices for the young ones.
The Sudan crisis has trapped millions of children in conflict. Safe spaces like the one Naba enjoys provide them with safe environments to play, create special bonds and just be children again.
With the continued support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the KfW German Development Bank, UNICEF and its partners run 20 safe learning spaces benefiting almost 5,000 children in Kassala.
Across the country, UNICEF is working to expand the integrated approach. This approach combines education with specialized child protection services and the provision of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services. All these initiatives are designed to support children's overall growth, well-being, and protection, nurturing their physical, social, and emotional development.
Naba dreams of becoming a doctor one day. "I want to alleviate the suffering of underprivileged people." But above all, she wishes for every child to have the opportunity to return home.
