A School for Healing: Education and Resilience in Nigeria

In a tranquil corner of Maiduguri, a remarkable transformation is taking place within the walls of Lafiya Sarari School. Here, children gather to open their notebooks and prepare to learn. This serene environment is a stark contrast to the chaos they've experienced, often being surrounded by violence and turmoil. The school has become a sanctuary for healing, where learning takes on a new meaning beyond academics.

The region has been ravaged by 16 years of violence perpetrated by Boko Haram and other militant groups, which has profoundly impacted the childhood and education of countless children in northeastern Nigeria. Schools and homes have often been targeted, leading to displacement and loss. Every child at Lafiya Sarari shares a common history marked by trauma, yet within these school walls, they are redistributing their narratives from despair to hope.

Among the students is Fatima, who conveys her newfound perspective on life: "Here, I have come to realize that I have a bright future ahead of me." Her statement encapsulates the essence of a groundbreaking initiative led by the Global Survivors Fund (GSF), in collaboration with the Neem Foundation and local partners such as the Youth Initiative Against Terrorism and the Future Resilience and Development Foundation. Fueled by a grant from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), this program offers trauma-informed education to children impacted by conflict-related sexual violence in Borno State.

Fatima’s journey back to education is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. She recalls how her life changed in 2014 when Boko Haram attacked her town. "The attack was loud and terrifying. I had to hide with my family," she explains. After several hours of silence led them to believe the danger had passed, their hopes were shattered. They were captured by the militants, and during this harrowing time, Fatima endured the unimaginable: witnessing her father’s death and battling atrocities no child should ever face.

It took her family eleven grueling days to escape. "We couldn't sleep or rest—only a handful of us made it back home," she remembers, reflecting the desperation faced by many in her community.

Returning to school felt impossible for Fatima until she enrolled in Neem’s trauma-informed educational program at Lafiya Sarari. There, she found not just academic stability, but an environment that nurtured her emotional recovery, instilling a sense of routine and support. Through this initiative, the children like Fatima can begin to envision brighter futures, a sentiment echoed by UNICEF which reports that over 18 million children in Nigeria have been pushed out of school due to ongoing insecurities and crises.

Survivors of Boko Haram often face secondary violence and stigmatization, branded as "tainted" or "Boko Haram women". These labels burden them psychologically, affecting every facet of their lives. Education is not just a right; it is a vehicle for empowerment, allowing children like Fatima to reintegrate and rebuild their lives despite their traumatic pasts.

At Lafiya Sarari, around 80% of students are survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, and many have struggled to return to traditional education. Rather than relying on standard yearly benchmarks, their educational progress is assessed over a six-year period, allowing students to learn at their pace. The curriculum emphasizes core values such as peace, integrity, respect, honesty, and tolerance—principles that stand in stark contrast to the ideologies propagated by Boko Haram.

Philemon Nyminiba, a biology teacher and educational psychologist at the school, notes, "Formal education was not an option for these children. Sometimes, they seem to have built walls around themselves. Through art, movement, and personalized care, we assist them in expressing what is often hard to articulate."

The school employs 17 teachers, two counselors, and four psychologists, all trained in trauma-related care and psychological first aid. In the therapeutic playrooms, staff observe emotions like fear and anger surfacing—psychological scars often ignored in other contexts. "Initially, I couldn't hold a session without encountering tears. The children felt unsafe. We needed to create activities that would allow them to feel free," recounts a school psychologist.

Looking ahead, the support from ECW enables GSF and Neem to facilitate a dignified and safe return to education for these children, ensuring that survivor voices shape what healing and supportive learning look like. Each step forward is significant. With her program completed, Fatima is embarking on her next chapter with newfound confidence. She represents resilience and empowerment, as others follow in her footsteps, entering the doors of Lafiya Sarari.

"Almost everything we need to move forward in life is provided here. This school gives us the hope we need," summarizes one student, mirroring the sentiments of many. Their stories reveal a vital truth: with the right support, education becomes more than a means of learning; it transforms into a path to recovery.