#Education Cannot Wait #UNICEF #Sudan #Wisam #Port Sudan

Packed with Hope: The Journey of Wisam

In the heart of Port Sudan, we meet Wisam, a bright and resilient nine-year-old girl, who finds solace in her classroom despite the chaos surrounding her. Even as her classmates bustle around her, she is captivated by her task, sketching a delicate flower with a blue colored pencil. Each stroke represents not just her creativity but also the hope she harbors as she navigates her current reality.

Wisam's life took a dramatic turn when armed conflict erupted in her hometown of Sinnar, forcing her family to flee to Port Sudan. She recalls the loss painfully, stating, “I left my toys, my books, my school uniform, and my backpack behind. My school uniform was beautiful.” The heart-wrenching impact of displacement is palpable in her words.

Upon reaching Port Sudan, Wisam faced another obstacle: her family struggled to afford the necessary school supplies after their displacement. Fortunately, with support from UNICEF and funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), Wisam received crucial educational materials and even a new school uniform. This initiative represents a lifeline for many children in her situation, providing not just supplies, but also a sense of stability amidst turmoil.

ECW’s holistic approach assists in establishing safe spaces for children, temporary learning centers, teacher training, and mental health support among other essential services. For Wisam and her siblings, the excitement of attending school was initially overshadowed by their lack of basic supplies necessary for learning. Thankfully, funding from ECW has enabled schools in Sudan to receive vital resources, allowing Wisam and her peers to have new uniforms and backpacks filled with notebooks, pencils, and various other materials.

“I love my new backpack,” Wisam exclaims, her eyes shining with hope. To her, it symbolizes more than just school supplies; it embodies her dreams of a brighter future where she can learn and flourish.

Currently in the 3rd grade, Wisam participates actively in classroom discussions, raising her hand confidently to answer questions. After school hours, she often stays behind, absorbed in her drawings, colored flowers reflecting her inner thoughts and emotions. Each artwork stands testament to her creativity and her resolve to find beauty, even in challenging situations.

Since the onset of war in Sudan in April 2023, countless school buildings have either been damaged or repurposed as shelters, drastically affecting education. During crisis situations, the importance of education cannot be overstated. It not only facilitates academic learning but also fosters a sense of normalcy, stability, and safety for children. Access to education can protect children from harmful practices such as child marriage, child labor, and forced recruitment into armed groups.

Wisam’s narrative is just one of many, amidst a staggering crisis where approximately 13 million children of school age in Sudan are currently out of school due to ongoing violence. “Home is better than here. But because of the war, we cannot return. The war is so bad,” reflects the young girl, yet she remains optimistic. With the support she’s received, she believes education is her pathway forward.

ECW alongside partners like UNICEF is committed to ensuring that children like Wisam can continue their education, even under dire conditions. The investments by ECW are directed towards the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms, provision of learning materials, training teachers, and ensuring access to clean water and gender-segregated sanitation facilities. Moreover, they are focused on promoting quality, inclusive, and child-friendly education.

Additionally, ECW and its partners are responding to the educational needs of refugee children in neighboring countries, announcing grants for Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda. Wisam's story is a profound reminder of the resilience and strength exhibited by children, as well as the transformative influence of education. Her backpack, once a reminder of what she had to leave behind, now carries the hopes and ambitions that bring her closer to the future she rightfully deserves.