Project: I-Learn Project by GREDO in Partnership with FCA
Location: Elberde
The journey from displacement to achievement is often fraught with challenges, yet it can also showcase the incredible resilience of the human spirit. For Mohamed Abdullah Mohamed, education was a distant dream. Growing up in a pastoralist community, boys like him were expected to tend livestock rather than pursue learning.
When drought ravaged his family’s village near Garasweyne, 45 kilometers south of Elberde district, it decimated their livestock—the family’s primary source of livelihood. Left with no choice, they fled to Wargarweyne IDP camp in Elberde district, seeking refuge and new opportunities.
Life in the camp was starkly different from Mohamed’s familiar surroundings. The vast, open spaces of his childhood were replaced by crowded tents and makeshift shelters. The comforting bleats of livestock were now distant memories, replaced by the hum of camp life and the cries of struggling families. Amidst this upheaval, one opportunity stood out: the chance to go to school.
Education is deeply valued in Somali culture, and one day, while searching for work in the camp, Mohamed’s mother, Fadumo Ibrahim Abdurrahman, learned about the newly constructed Emergency Community Learning Center (ECLC). Funded by ECHO and implemented through the I-Learn Project by FCA and GREDO, the ECLC offered free education to out-of-school children. For Mohamed, it was a chance to turn his dreams into reality.
Despite the many hardships her family faced in the camp, Fadumo was determined to seize this opportunity. At the age of 14, Mohamed was admitted to Wargarweyne ECLC in July 2024 as part of its first cohort.
“My parents didn’t allow me to go to school when I was younger,” Fadumo shared. “I’m so happy that Mohamed is now enrolled in a free education program. I hope he excels and transitions to formal schooling,” she added with pride.
Mohamed joined a community of learners at the ECLC, where roughly 90% of children in the camp had previously been out of school. The ECLC initiative aimed to bridge the educational gap for displaced communities, providing quality education as a stepping stone or catch-up program for children aged 9 to 17 to either transition into the formal school system or Accelerated Basic Education (ABE).
Initially, adapting to a classroom environment was daunting for Mohamed. Having never attended school before, the idea of sitting among other children felt overwhelming. But with the support of his mother, dedicated teachers, and staff, Mohamed slowly embraced this new chapter.
He quickly discovered a natural talent for learning, excelling in subjects like mathematics and Somali. Despite the challenges of living in a camp and the trauma of displacement, Mohamed’s determination shone through. His hard work paid off, and he became part of the first cohort to transition from Wargarweyne ECLC to formal schooling at Bula Shidle IDP School.
Mr. Abdinasib, the headteacher at Bula Shidle, recognized Mohamed’s potential and encouraged him to continue his education. Mohamed was enrolled in formal class three, where he continued to thrive academically and participate in extracurricular activities.
“I can’t express how happy I am to have transitioned to formal school,” Mohamed shared with a beaming smile. “This has shown me that if I work hard, I can achieve my dreams.”
“Mohamed is destined for success,” Mr. Abdinasib added. “Since joining my school, his academic achievements have been remarkable. He’s not only talented but also actively involved in extracurricular activities.”
Today, Mohamed stands as a shining example of how children from drought- and conflict-affected families can rise above their circumstances with the right support. Through the I-Learn Project, GREDO, in partnership with FCA, is providing educational opportunities for displaced children in Elberde and Hudur districts of the Bakool region.
The success of the project is evident not only in the growing enrollment numbers and the recruitment and training of teachers but also in the inspiring stories of students like Mohamed, who now have a pathway to formal education and a brighter future.