Safe Learning Spaces
A new dawn for children in Sudan
13-year-old Mehad loves school. She has dreams and longs to complete school to become a pediatrician – a profession she admires and through which she can provide care to children like her.
Last year, around this time, Mehad and her brothers would already be in school – their new school term always started in September.
But this year, the situation is different. Now displaced with her family, schools closed, due to the war in Sudan, Mehad worries if her education dreams will ever be realized.
She occasionally remembers the fateful day when the war started. There is no doubt that she will require support to overcome the trauma. “I was preparing my bed together with my cousin when we suddenly heard clashes and bombings.” “The noise grew louder and closer, filling their hearts with terror,” she sadly narrated.
While staying with her extended and larger family made the subsequent days less traumatic, she wished the fighting would cease but it didn’t. They eventually had to leave Khartoum in search for peace, but the trauma lingers on.
“Our hearts were filled with fear and panic throughout,”
It’s been days, months since they fled. Despite being relived from the fighting, Mehad longs to resume school and her learning journey.
She hopes that the fighting will stop so she and her brothers can return to normalcy which also included daily trips to school.
While all schools across the country remain closed during the conflict, the education of 19 million school-age children like Mehad remains in balance. Almost one of the worst education crises in the world.
Safe Learning Spaces – a new dawn for Mehad and other children
For days, Mehad was in disbelief when she learnt about a new safe learning space in her neighbourhood where children could meet, play, sing, have fun together but most of all access learning activities supported by teachers. A routine close to what they previously had at school back home.
And that all children – displaced and those from host communities were welcome to attend. What a joy and a new dawn it was for her and all the other children. They are overjoyed to have the opportunity to learn again.
“We finally have notebooks and pens to help us remember what we learn,” she expressed with joy.
Looking forward to every new day, Mehad’s routine has since changed for the better. At least in the past 6 months.
Today, her day starts early with helping her family prepare for the day before she rushes out to the safe learning space.
At the space, sessions begin with an assembly where they chorus the national anthem just like they did while in school. children of all ages – young and old all sing together– through high and low pitches. The sessions are prepared by the children with both boys and girls taking turns to lead.
The children then disperse to the UNICEF temporary classrooms. Mehad and several other girls march into an Arabic session led by Teacher Amani followed by another on Mathematics - multiplication and subtraction. They listen attentively but also participate in answering the questions posed by the teachers.
When all lessons are done – the day is culminated by cultural activities where children, sing, dance, play instruments. It is fun. Exactly what they need.
“Our joy is not complete until we have the cultural activity class,” she shared with joy.
Mehad has also made new friends and grateful for their support.
“I have new close friends. We do not only study together, but also share books, pencils, water, food, and even talk about our dreams.”
“I am glad that I made new friends,” Mehad asserted.
The day ends with happy faces and hearts full of gratitude for another opportunity to learn and new friendships and bonds with new peers.
At Al Maimona gathering point Hantob Gezira state, over 600 displaced children and those from host communities are registered at the safe learning space - where they benefit from age appropriate and inclusive learning and other activities including those that they previously enjoyed at their schools like daily assemblies where they sing the national anthem.
The children have also received supplies from UNICEF like books, pencils, and bags.
While they learn, the children also spend some quality time together.
Back home, Mehad is delighted to spend some time catching up on her homework provided at the learning space.
“I am happy to be back to learning. The new classes and the cultural activities are wonderful. They help us forget our pain. Every Saturday, we have a stage show,” she added.
