Wisam's Journey: Overcoming Adversity through Education and Hope

In a bustling classroom in Port-Sudan, Wisam, a bright nine-year-old girl, concentrates intently on her drawing, using a blue colored pencil to sketch a delicate flower in her notebook. Despite the chaos around her as classmates gather their belongings, she remains focused, embedding her creativity and resilience into each stroke of her pencil. Wisam's new backpack, filled with essential school supplies, symbolizes more than just her academic tools; it holds her hopes and dreams, illuminating her path even amid turbulent times.

Wisam's story is not just one of artistic aspiration; it is a poignant narrative of survival and determination. Forced to flee her home in Sinnar due to armed conflict, Wisam and her family sought refuge in Port-Sudan, leaving behind cherished toys, books, and her school uniform. She fondly remembers, “My school uniform was beautiful. I had to leave it behind.” When schools reopened, her family faced financial obstacles that made it impossible to purchase the necessary school supplies.

Thanks to the efforts of UNICEF and funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), Wisam received essential school supplies and even a new uniform, helping to alleviate some of the burdens her family faced. This initiative is part of ECW's broader strategy to respond to educational needs in regions like Sudan, creating safe spaces for children, establishing temporary learning centers, training teachers, and providing psychological support alongside educational materials.

When Wisam and her siblings enrolled in their new school, their excitement was tempered by the stark realization that they lacked basic school supplies. ECW’s initiative ensured that Wisam’s school was one of many institutions across Sudan receiving vital educational resources. With her new backpack, Wisam is equipped with notebooks, pencils, erasers, crayons, chalk, and rulers—tools essential for a renewed educational experience. “I love my new bag,” she expresses with a broad smile that reflects her joy and a glimpse of hope.

Now in the second grade, Wisam participates in class discussions with newfound confidence and actively raises her hand to answer questions. After school, she often stays behind, captivated by the drawings she creates. The colorful flowers she sketches serve as a testament to her creativity and determination to find beauty in her struggles.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has harmed hundreds of schools since April 2023, with many buildings damaged or repurposed as shelters. Education in these crises is crucial; it not only provides academic learning but also restores a sense of normalcy, stability, and safety for children. It protects them from harmful practices such as child marriage, forced labor, and recruitment into armed groups, offering them the chance to pursue their dreams and create a brighter future. Wisam is just one of millions who have been displaced due to this brutal conflict, which has caused an unprecedented child displacement crisis in the country, leaving around 13 million school-aged children currently out of school.

Reflecting on her past, Wisam shares, “Things were better at home. But we can’t go back because of the war. War is a very bad thing.” Despite her circumstances, Wisam remains hopeful. The support she has received reassures her that education can serve as a pathway to a better life.

ECW and its partners, including UNICEF, continue to advocate for the educational rights of children in Sudan, striving to ensure that even in the direst situations, displaced children can continue their studies. ECW's investments facilitate the rehabilitation and construction of classroom facilities, provide educational supplies, train teachers, improve access to clean water, and establish gender-sensitive sanitation facilities, creating an inclusive education system tailored to children's needs. Furthermore, responding to the regional refugee education needs, ECW has announced grants in the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda.

Wisam’s journey highlights the resilience, strength, and the transformative power of education among children. Her backpack, which once reminded her of everything she had to leave behind, now carries all her aspirations. With every lesson learned, Wisam steps closer to the bright future she truly deserves.

Wisam with her backpack