Wednesday May 8, 2024
In Somalia, one of the most common traumatic events for children is displacement. Being torn from their homes, friends, and lives can leave deep emotional scars that are difficult to heal. The traumatic events they have been exposed to leave invisible scars that can prevent children from attending school, if there is one that is accessible to begin with. Entering a classroom for the first time marks an important milestone in every child’s life, as is the case for Hassan (13).
He hails from a family of four, where he is the oldest. Hassan had never been to school until a prolonged drought in 2021 forced his family to leave their home in the Bay region, southwest Somalia, to settle in Arladi camp for the internally displaced in Dhusamareeb. His father was a livestock herder from which the family earned their subsistence. They were happy and lived comfortably until the drought decimated their entire herd.
In the camp, Hassan would wake up to the sounds of the camp stirring to life. The makeshift tents, the crowded pathways, and the constant hum of activity served as a reminder of the harsh reality he was living in. Displaced and a stranger, he missed his home, his friends, and the daily routine. He was having trouble adjusting to the new reality.
A glimmer of hope arrived when a temporary learning center was set up in the camp and Hassan was enrolled, with the chance to make new friends and set up a new routine.
“I like the new school here. It is not like the other big modern schools in town, but I don’t mind because I wanted to come to school to learn. In this center, I found happiness.”
Hassan says his favorite subjects are Somali and mathematics. He says the center is a haven, a place where he could escape the harsh realities of life in the camp and immerse himself in books, learning, and creativity. For Hassan, the learning center is more than just a place to study, it is a sanctuary where he could dream of a brighter future.
“Hassan is a dedicated student who wants to continue his schooling despite the challenges in his life. I have met his parents and encouraged them to continuously be engaged in his learning and progress and support him while at home,” says his teacher, Shamsa.
With support from the Government of Japan, UNICEF is supporting 4,842 students in Galmudug State to access learning through temporary learning centers. In South Galkayo, there are 13 centers UNICEF is supporting, with 10 of them located in IDP sites. The Programme employs the Accelerated Basic Education approach, which features a compressed curriculum to allow children left behind by formal education system to accelerate their progress and be enrolled in the formal system. The Programme is also an entry point for other services such as WASH, child protection, and nutrition.
The Arladi IDP temporary learning center has an enrolment of 149 students with five teachers.