From Livestock to Learning: Kansa's Inspiring Journey in Ethiopia

From Livestock to Learning: Kansa's Journey

Kansa's life changed dramatically when she was just 11 years old. Hailing from Belbelītī Village in the Oromia Region of Ethiopia, her days were once filled with nurturing animals and helping her family with daily farm tasks. However, everything was disrupted when a violent conflict erupted at the border between the Somali and Oromia regions, forcing her family to abandon their home with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Seeking refuge, Kansa and her family of nine eventually found safety at Kologi IDP Camp in the Babile Woreda of the Somali Region. This dramatic shift in her reality came with loss and dislocation, but it also brought an unexpected opportunity—education. Before their displacement, Kansa had never set foot in a classroom, yet the IDP camp offered her a chance she never thought possible.

Thanks to a back-to-school campaign initiated by the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and supported by Education Cannot Wait (ECW), Kansa was encouraged to enroll in the camp's primary school. Now a 15-year-old thriving in class, Kansa has become a star student at Horsade Primary School. She looks forward to school every day and has developed a passion for subjects like English, mathematics, and environmental science.

Kansa's journey to education symbolizes hope and resilience. Growing up in Belbelītī, she had nearly given up on the idea of learning and was preconditioned to think her future involved only domestic chores and livestock care. With an unfaltering spirit, she now dreams of one day becoming a university lecturer, an aspiration that would have once seemed unthinkable.

The humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia—marked by conflict, poverty, and dislocation—has created barriers preventing children like Kansa from accessing education. Notably, the ongoing drought, the worst seen in four decades, has further exacerbated vulnerability in the region. These factors have resulted in numerous children being deprived of the basic right to education.

Since 2017, ECW has played a critical role in supporting the educational needs of refugee and internally displaced children in Ethiopia, with a focus on inclusive educational opportunities. Their initiatives aim to bolster enrollment, provide ongoing education, develop school infrastructure, and foster community support for safe learning environments, particularly for girls and children with disabilities.

In Kologi IDP Camp, the investments made by ECW enhance programs that cater to the holistic needs of children. This includes providing access to school supplies, hygiene products, and food through school feeding programs—all essential elements that contribute to increased school attendance. Kansa reported that many of her classmates struggle with hunger, highlighting the importance of the meal services provided at school, which have significantly enhanced enrollment rates.

Furthermore, Kansa is part of a girls' club facilitated by NRC that encourages empowerment among young women. This supportive network helps girls discuss important topics like academic success and menstrual hygiene management, creating a safe space for growth. Kansa notes that her experience in this club has enriched her confidence, transforming her belief in her abilities and potential.

Today, Kansa's educational journey transcends mere reading and writing; it symbolizes hope, empowerment, and a newfound belief in equality. Her experience empowers her to realize that she, like her male counterparts, has a right to education and can achieve her dreams. As she eloquently expressed, “As displaced people, we used to feel unequal. But attending this school has shown me our right to learn is the same as anyone else's. I can do anything.”

Kansa's story is a beacon of hope, shedding light on the untold potential of children caught in crises when provided the chance to learn. With sustained support from programs like those provided by ECW, the future appears brighter for Kansa and many other children facing similar adversities.