Education is both a right and a necessity for Somalia’s future. Yet for many Somali children, conflict, displacement, and poverty deny them the opportunity to learn. HIRDA has long placed education at the center of our mission, and in 2017 we continued to expand access to schools, train teachers, and provide emergency education in crisis-affected areas.
One of our flagship initiatives was the creation of Children Learning Hubs in partnership with OCHA. These hubs not only gave children a safe place to learn but also shielded them from violence and exploitation. Social mobilization teams went door to door, encouraging families to send their children to school. By involving community and religious leaders, we built trust and achieved remarkable success: over 1,500 children, including more than 600 girls, returned to school.
Our Child-to-Child (CTC) training empowered students to become agents of change in their own communities. By learning about child rights, peacebuilding, and leadership, children developed the confidence to address issues affecting their peers and families. These clubs reinforced education as more than classroom learning—it became a tool for civic engagement and social transformation.
Teacher training was another cornerstone. In partnership with UNICEF, HIRDA trained 75 new teachers, including 35 women, for Alternative Basic Education (ABE) schools in Gedo. These programs catered to pastoralist children, using flexible timetables, radio instruction, and locally adapted materials. By tailoring education to the realities of rural communities, we ensured that learning reached even the most marginalized.
Emergency education interventions also supported children displaced by floods and droughts. In Bardera and Luuq, over 5,000 students were enrolled in schools despite disruptions caused by natural disasters. This continuity was vital for restoring a sense of normalcy and protecting children’s futures.
HIRDA’s approach to education goes beyond numbers. It is about fostering safe, inclusive, and relevant learning environments that equip children with skills for life. By combining formal schooling with innovative methods, teacher development, and community involvement, we continue to make education a pathway out of poverty and conflict for Somalia’s youth.