Khadija: A Beacon of Hope for Girls' Education in Somalia

CARE supports girls in Somalia to access education and to stay in school.

At just 16, Khadija* has achieved something remarkable: she became the top student in Jubaland state, Somalia, in the national Grade 8 exams. Her success is a personal victory and a powerful testament to the transformative impact of the Girls' Education and Empowerment Program (GEEPS) in Somalia. One that may not have been realized due to circumstances beyond her control. 

 

Khadija, born into a big family in Kismayo, knows firsthand the struggles girls face in Somalia. Education is a distant dream for many girls, held back by poverty, droughts, early marriage, the constant threat of conflict, dwindling resources that forced parents to prioritize boys' education, and harmful traditions that kept them from reaching their potential. Khadija's goal of becoming a teacher seemed almost unattainable, overshadowed by her community's harsh realities of life. 

 

"I used to watch other girls going to school and longed for the day when I could join them. Education was my dream, but it felt so far out of reach," Khadija recalls. 

 

Everything changed when she was identified by the GEEPS project as a candidate for support. Through this initiative, CARE Somalia provided Khadija and more than 4,000 other girls with scholarships that covered school fees, uniforms, and essential hygiene items such as sanitary towels. These essential supplies were more than just material support—they were lifelines that kept Khadija's dreams alive. 

 

"Without the scholarship, I would not have reached my current milestones. I might have become a young mother instead, my potential unrealized. This project gave me hope for a better future," Khadija says, her voice filled with gratitude. 

 

Khadija's journey is a powerful example of how education can transform lives. She is not just determined to continue her studies; she is fiercely passionate about it. Her goal is to pursue secondary and tertiary education and eventually become a teacher—a role she views not just as a career but as a mission to empower her community. She dreams of breaking down the barriers to girls' education, serving as a role model, and inspiring others to see education as a fundamental right, not a privilege. 

 

"Work hard, strive for excellence, and claim your right to education," Khadija urges her peers. "Don't let anyone diminish your potential or make you believe that learning is a privilege reserved for the few. You have the power to create your own journey, and I am living proof that with perseverance and support, you can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness." 

 

The GEEPS program has not only changed individual lives like Khadija's but has also had a broader impact on her school and community. It has played a crucial role in improving the school's infrastructure, rehabilitating classrooms and toilets to create a conducive learning environment, and providing incentives and training to teachers. These efforts have led to a significant increase in girls' enrollment and performance at the school, where Khadija studies. 

 

Abdi*, the headteacher, proudly notes, "Before GEEPS, our school's girls' enrollment was significantly lower compared to boys. But now, we have seen a substantial increase in girls' enrollment and performance. In the last three national examination results, our top-performing students were girls." 

 

Khadija's story is a poignant reminder of the many challenges that girls in Somalia face in their pursuit of education, but it is also a story of hope and possibility. Through the support of the GEEPS program, Khadija has not only changed her own life but has become a symbol of what is possible when girls are given the chance to learn. Her journey is a beacon of hope for countless others, lighting the way for a future where every girl in Somalia has the opportunity to realize her potential. 

* - Names changed to protect Identity