In war-torn Sudan, a dedicated school in Port Sudan offers educational opportunities to adults and displaced individuals. Founded by Amna Mohamed Ahmed, the school addresses community illiteracy and has become a refuge amidst ongoing conflict. Students like Nisreen Babiker and Maria Adam highlight the importance of returning to education for personal growth and the well-being of their families.
In a dilapidated classroom in eastern Sudan, adult learners are keenly observing as their teacher writes Arabic letters on a worn blackboard. The founder of the school, Amna Mohamed Ahmed, affectionately called “Amna Oor,” is a 63-year-old educator dedicated to advancing literacy within her community. For over thirty years, she has facilitated educational opportunities in Port Sudan, addressing the critical issue of widespread illiteracy which motivated her to initiate this initiative in 1995. “People wanted to learn — if they didn’t, they wouldn’t have kept coming,” she expressed during an interview with AFP.
Among the students is 39-year-old Nisreen Babiker, who sees her return to education as a long-cherished aspiration. After departing from school in 2001 due to marriage and familial obligations, Babiker yearned to revive her academic pursuits. “Even after all these years, it feels like I’m starting fresh,” she remarked, highlighting the personal significance of her educational journey.
The school has also become a sanctuary for individuals displaced by the recent conflict in Sudan, which emerged in April 2023. Amidst the chaos of the power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, countless civilians have been forced to flee. For instance, Maria Adam, 28, relocated to Port Sudan in search of security and improvement in her future. “When I arrived in Port Sudan, I heard about this place and joined,” she shared, reminiscing about her school drop-out experience at the age of 11.
The educational landscape in Sudan has faced significant disruption due to ongoing violence, with over 90 percent of the 19 million school-aged children in the nation lacking access to formal education, as reported by the United Nations. Most educational facilities have been repurposed into shelters for the displaced. Even prior to the conflict, a 2022 analysis by Save the Children indicated that Sudan was among the nations most prone to educational collapse.
However, the commitment to learning remains vibrant at Ahmed’s school, where numerous students aspire to attend high school, with some even achieving university degrees. Amidst this transition, some parents are joining their children in classes, determined to reshape their collective futures. “To watch someone go from not knowing how to read or write to graduating from university, getting a job, and supporting their family — that is what keeps me going,” Ahmed concluded, emphasizing the transformative power of education.
In summary, the determination to pursue education persists amidst the turmoil in Sudan, as evidenced by the efforts of Amna Mohamed Ahmed and her school in Port Sudan. Despite significant challenges such as widespread displacement and a shattered education system, students like Nisreen Babiker and Maria Adam exemplify the resilience of individuals seeking knowledge and better opportunities. The school not only aims to educate but also transforms learners into productive members of society.
Original Source: www.iosconews.com
