Educating Pastoral Children in Somali-land

Somaliland is a country in eastern Africa, broke away from Somalia in 1991 and extremely challenged by climate change. Anyone who lives in the northern Somaliland in Gargara witnesses the effect of climate change as they lost their animals because of drought. Unlike many other countries, Somaliland is dependency on foreign talent, female genital mutilation is almost an estimated 99%, productivity is poor and growth opportunities are very much limited. Somaliland depends on livestock which is challenged by the recurring climate change. In the last few years this was restricted by countries importing their livestock including Saudi foot-and-mouth disease import ban.

Majority of the community (55%) are pastoralists who need the attention of donors.  The under-developed pastoralists are the most desperate group of people who are denied primary schools since their children are challenged to continue their study for various factors including frequent drought, flood, internal conflict, mobility with their family, etc.

All these made children access to education extremely limited. Different reports indicate that more than 50% of children in Somaliland are out of School. Drought, food insecurity, poverty, and inequality are some of the challenges that hinder more Somaliland children from school. It was indicated that only 26% of children in rural areas and 16% of internally displaced children are in primary school.

Hope 4 World Children planned to take schools to these children of pastoralists in Somaliland than to bring them to school as poverty and family situations do not allow them to go far and rent rooms to complete their education cycle. The intervention targets sustainable development in the areas of education, provision of water wells in drought-hit areas in Kalawleh, Gargara, and Cabdi Gedi. Hope 4 World Children provide educational services to pastoral children as this could make the Somali children productive and thrive.

Country: Somali Land