A Beacon of Hope: The Journey of Al Amar Community Primary School

 

In 2021, the Al Amarz IDP camp was a place of struggle and uncertainty for displaced families, compounded by the absence of educational opportunities for children. Families struggled to survive, and their children wandered about the camp, denied the opportunity for an education. For Headteacher Abdirizak Hassan Abdi, who himself had endured the pain of displacement, the sight of children idling in the camp instead of in classrooms was unbearable. "There was no school. No place for children to learn or even dream for a better future," he narrated.

 

Headteacher Abdirizak Hassan Abdi-Al-amar Community School

Determined to change this reality, Abdirizak joined forces with two like-minded individuals. They pooled their modest resources, borrowed where they could, and in just ten days, constructed two makeshift classrooms. The effort was a labor of love, fueled by the belief in education’s transformative power.

 

The classrooms were simple—8x5 meters, with no cemented floors or furniture. Children sat on the bare ground or nylon mats. “It was heartbreaking to watch children trying to focus while sitting in such conditions,” Abdirizak shared. The challenges were even more for girls, who often had to leave school due to the lack of sanitation facilities. Despite these obstacles, the small team persevered. "We started with nothing but a belief in what education could do for our children," he recalled.

 

Their efforts bore fruit. A relentless door-to-door campaign within the camp led to the enrollment of 92 students in the first year. Against all odds, the school began to symbolize hope—a glimmer of possibility for a better future.

 

In April 2023, Abdirizak heard of the Education Cannot Wait – First Emergency Response (ECW-FER) project, implemented in Baidoa by Gargaar Relief and Development Organization (GREDO) in partnership with CARE. The project aimed to address the educational needs of out-of-school children, with a focus on inclusivity, targeting 60% girls and 10% learners with disabilities in programs that they supported.

 

Al Amar Primary School located at an IDP camp in Somalia

 

Abdirizak vividly remembers the moment help arrived. "We had debts to repay just for the simplest facilities. When GREDO and CARE stepped in, it felt like they were extending a hand to lift us up,” he said.

 

The partnership transformed the school. Two new classrooms were built with heat-resistant materials, making the learning environment more comfortable. Additional toilets were constructed, particularly benefiting girls, who could now stay in school without fear or inconvenience. “For girls, this simple addition made all the difference. They could finally focus on their studies without worrying about leaving school to find a restroom,” Abdirizak explained.

 

Students at Al Amar Primary School smile as they receive learning material

Beyond infrastructure, the school received desks, textbooks, hygiene kits, sports equipment, and even shoes for the children. "I’ll never forget the day the desks arrived," Abdirizak said with a smile. "Seeing children sit properly at desks with their books open—it was like witnessing a new chapter in their lives."

For the parents and children, the school became more than a place of learning; it became a sanctuary of hope. Fartun, a mother of three, shared her gratitude: “Before this school, my children spent their days playing in the dirt, with no hope of an education. Now, they come home excited about what they learned and eager to go back. Even their health has improved because they practice what they learn about hygiene. My daughters now dream of becoming doctors and teachers. This school gave them a chance to dream”

 

At the onset of establishing the school, Abdirizak and his team relied on volunteer teachers who worked without pay. With GREDO and CARE’s support under the ECW-FER project, the school could finally provide teacher incentives, ensuring the delivery of quality education.

 

Today, Al Amar Community Primary School is a thriving institution, serving 519 students, 297 of whom are girls. The school employs 13 teachers who not only provide academic instruction but also foster life skills and extracurricular activities. Digital record-keeping and hygiene groups have been introduced, instilling responsibility and pride among students.

 

Abdirizak often reflects on the school’s remarkable journey. “GREDO and CARE gave us the tools, but it was the children and their families who made this school what it is today. Their determination, their belief in the power of education—it drives me every day,” he said.

 

The story of Al Amar Community Primary School is not just about bricks and books—it is a testament to the resilience of a community that refused to let its children’s future slip away. It is about the courage of teachers who worked tirelessly, unpaid, and the determination of parents who prioritized education amidst their struggles.

GREDO, CARE Somalia's partner during a visit to Al Amar Primary school

 

The Education Cannot Wait project, implemented by GREDO, Mercy Corps, CARE, and Daryeel Bulsho Guud (DBG), has reached 43,011 learners across 135 learning centers, including 56% girls and 13% of children living with disabilities (CLWD).

The community in Al Amraz camp has shown that education can light the path to a brighter future even in the most challenging circumstances.

Students of Al Amar Primary School during a class session