The next doctor of El Geneina
A girl dreams of becoming a doctor
I am a student in the 6th class in the Azzraa basic school for girls. My family, my teachers and my friends usually call me the next doctor of Geneina. Why?! Simply because I surprised them with the force of my ambition: Becoming the best doctor of El Geneina!
We live in Al Salam area, in the center of El Geneina city. The area is mostly known as a settling place for formal nomad communities. This is a basic poor community, where people need to struggle for basic services, including health care. I every day witness the destitution in which my close community lives, and this keep inspiring me. I have to do something; I need to make a change.
I am an ordinary little girl; and like any other ordinary girl, I also help with home duties; I take care of our goats, feed them and provide them with water. I also help mom with cleaning our house and cooking meals. No matter what, she never interfered with my dream to become a doctor. She even sometimes reminds me to drop all the house duties and get back to my studies.
My dad keep telling his friends in the neighborhood that he witnessed what an educated child can bring to his family, and for that he will keep supporting me, even though I am a girl.
I prefer to spend time with my classmates, who are also my besties! All our dreams are turning around and helping our communities. Nada, the tallest one wish to become a teacher to help educate children. I wish to become the next best doctor around, first of all to help back my parents for what they are investing in me, and second, to help cure poor people for free.
UNICEF works to ensure that children like Mariam can reach their full potential thru UNICEF supported schools and thru the distribution of educational supplies.
