Amid the harsh realities of displacement in Somalia, 20-year-old teacher Umulkheir Moallim is transforming lives by providing education to children affected by conflict and climate change. Her journey from loss to leadership reflects the resilience and determination of her community.
Forced to flee her rural home in Bay region two years ago due to severe drought, Umulkheir and her family settled in Dinsor. Experiencing the hardships of displacement firsthand, she chose to make a difference by teaching. Today, she nurtures young minds in a makeshift school built in a displacement camp.
The Yaqshid School, established by humanitarian organizations, offers hope to 320 students, including 150 girls and 170 boys, across the Dinsor district. The school provides not only education but also stability and a sense of normalcy to children who have lost everything.
Umulkheir emphasizes the importance of education in transforming lives. “These children come from families that have lost all they had. Giving them a chance to dream again fills me with purpose,” she shared.
The school also impacts parents, many of whom now see education as a path to a better future. Fatuma, a mother of two, highlighted the significance: “Education gives them opportunities we never had.”
Beyond academics, the schoolyard becomes a haven where children laugh and play, momentarily escaping the struggles of displacement. “Here, they can simply be kids again,” Umulkheir remarked.
Her efforts inspire hope in a region marked by challenges. She dreams of more schools like Yaqshid across Somalia, ensuring every child can access education and dream of a brighter future.