A School for Healing: Transforming Lives of Children Affected by Conflict in Nigeria

A School for Healing: Children Rebuilding Their Lives

In the tranquil setting of Maiduguri, children gather at Lafiya Sarari School, armed with notebooks and pencils, ready to embark on a journey of learning and healing. Amidst the echoes of war, this community has found solace and strength in education. The experience of these young minds reflects the indomitable human spirit and the fervent hope for a brighter future.

Lafiya Sarari School stands as a beacon of hope for children who have faced the grim realities of violence and trauma. For 16 years, the specter of Boko Haram has loomed over northeast Nigeria, disrupting lives and tearing apart the fabric of society. Schools have been targeted, homes destroyed, and countless children have been robbed of their childhoods. Yet, within the walls of Lafiya Sarari, a transformative reparative education initiative is turning despair into resilience.

Fatima, a student at the school, embodies this transformation. Her journey began tragically in 2014 when her hometown was attacked by Boko Haram. Caught in a harrowing ordeal, she witnessed her father’s death and faced unspeakable horrors before escaping with her family after an arduous 11-day trek. Though she returned home, the idea of continuing her education felt like a distant dream. It wasn't until she enrolled in Neem's trauma-responsive education program at Lafiya Sarari that she began to see a glimmer of hope. "Here, I started to see that I have a bright future," she shares, signifying the school's impact on her life.

The journey of healing that Fatima and her peers experience at Lafiya Sarari is made possible through a collaboration between the Global Survivors Fund (GSF), the Neem Foundation, and local organizations. This initiative, supported by an Education Cannot Wait (ECW) grant, focuses on creating trauma-sensitive educational environments for children who have suffered from conflict-related sexual violence. Across Borno State, where over 18 million children have been pushed out of school due to insecurity and violence, this initiative seeks to provide stability and support—qualities many of these children desperately need.

At Lafiya Sarari, every student shares a common background of trauma inflicted by the insurgency, with approximately 80% being survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. The school allows students to progress at their own pace over six years, eschewing traditional benchmarks in favor of personalized learning journeys. Values such as peace, integrity, respect, and tolerance form the core of the curriculum, countering the ideologies propagated by their oppressors.

Philemon Nyminiba, a biology teacher and educational psychologist at the school, emphasizes the need for compassion and understanding in educating these children. Teaching methods incorporate art and movement to facilitate expression and communication, essential components in the healing process. "Sometimes you can feel a wall around them," he notes, indicating the emotional barriers many students face. With a multi-disciplinary team of 17 teachers, counselors, and psychologists trained in trauma-responsive practices, the school fosters an environment where children's psychological wounds can be addressed.

The initiative powered by ECW not only helps in providing access to education but ensures children re-enter with dignity and support tailored to their unique needs. Fatima's story reflects the school’s success; she has graduated from the program with renewed confidence and prepares to step into her next life chapter. "Almost everything we need to progress in life is provided here. This school makes us feel we have hope," she declares.

As the world witnesses the harsh realities faced by children in conflict zones, the story of Lafiya Sarari serves as a poignant reminder of the power of education. It is not merely a means to acquire knowledge; it is a crucial pathway to healing and rebuilding lives. With the right support, these children can embrace their futures—transforming adversity into hope and resilience. At Lafiya Sarari, education truly becomes a lifeline to recovery.