#Education Cannot Wait #Somalia #NRC #Sundus #Jowhar District

Hope and Resilience: Sundus’s Journey through Crisis

In the heart of a sunlit classroom sits a young girl, Sundus, clad in a bright pink jilbab, eyes fixed intently on her teacher. For three years, the idea of returning to school had felt like an unreachable dream. The flooding that devastated her village, sweeping away her home and family farm, led her family to flee to the Towfiq displacement camp. Previously proud farmers, they now struggled for survival without land or livestock, with education taking a backseat to the fight for basic necessities.

But then, at the age of ten, Sundus received a glimmer of hope when the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), funded by the initiative Education Cannot Wait (ECW), established temporary learning spaces in the camp. "The floods took my home away, but education is giving me a new life," says Sundus, encapsulating the transformative power of learning.

This educational initiative is a response to the widespread devastation caused by the 'Super El Niño' phenomenon of 2023, which led to mass displacements and immense destruction across Somalia. Funding is crucial for ensuring access to education, enabling better preparation for future emergencies, and creating a framework to protect students from climatic risks.

Through this program, NRC, working alongside partners such as WARDI and SOS Children’s Villages, has constructed and renovated classrooms and trained teachers to provide safe, inclusive learning environments for Sundus and countless other children affected by the crisis.

From Calamity to Classrooms

Sundus’s early years were marked by typical childhood joys—school, friends, and farming—until the floods changed everything. "I remember the water rushing into our house. My mother grabbed my hand and we ran. We left everything behind, even my books," she reminisced, revealing the harsh reality of life in the camp where she joined over 17,000 other displaced individuals.

For three long years, food and water were scarce, and schools remained closed. Sundus once loved learning and fondly recollects, "I enjoyed going to school in my village. My teacher used to say, 'Sundus, you are very bright.'"

Finally, children like Sundus were offered a second chance at education when NRC established a temporary learning space funded by ECW in Towfiq. The program not only built new classrooms with necessary facilities but also rejuvenated existing ones and provided teacher training, educational materials, and psychosocial support to ensure displaced kids could access quality education in a secure environment.

Sundus now takes pride in being enrolled in first grade. “When I received my books and pencils, I felt so happy. I told my mother, 'Now I can be a student again,'” she exclaimed, her smile showcasing her renewed spirit.

At the school, she has found not just academic lessons but also protection and hope. "School keeps us safe. When I’m in class, I worry about nothing else. I just think about learning. If I study, I can be anything I want. If I stop studying, I would lose everything. I don't want to stop again," Sundus declares with determination.

The Crisis in Somalia

Somalia faces one of the world’s most complex humanitarian crises, characterized by conflict, poverty, and the escalating effects of climate change. Severe droughts and floods have displaced hundreds of thousands, destroying homes, schools, and livelihoods. Currently, an estimated 4.9 million children are out of school, with attendance rates as low as 21% among newly displaced children, compared to 39% for non-displaced peers.

To date, ECW has invested over $64 million to help children affected by the crisis in Somalia continue their education amid floods and conflict. Following the devastating floods of 2023, ECW and its partners initiated an emergency response, including an innovative pilot program for anticipatory action in humanitarian responses aimed at enhancing educational access for children.

However, increased support is still needed to ensure all affected children gain access to education and that communities are better prepared for future climatic impacts.

Dreams that Endure

For Sundus, education is the bridge between her past losses and the future she envisions. "I want to be a doctor when I grow up. If someone is sick, I want to help them." Her ambition resonates with many children in Somalia who continue to pursue learning despite overwhelming challenges. Access to education offers them much more than just knowledge; it restores stability, safety, and a pathway to recovery.

As floods and droughts continue to reshape the landscape of Somalia, preserving these opportunities will be vital in fortifying the resilience of the next generation. "When I open my backpack, I see my future. I see a doctor, hope, and peace," Sundus reflects, her aspirations signaling brighter days ahead.