By Elijah Makaye and Abdirahman Garane

Cover Photo: Mumin (centred) in an on going class session

12-year-old Mumin* is a refugee child and a former pupil at Waberi Alternative Basic Education (ABE) center in Dadaab Refugee Camp. The European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) funds the learning center.

Mumin is at catch-up B level; this means that he is behind his learning schedule and is in a separate class to help him catch up with learners who are his age mates. Mumin had not enrolled in school earlier because like several parents at the Dadaab Refugee Camp, his parents did not fully understand the value of education for children.

Through a campaign by Save the Children and with funding from ECHO, Save the Children conducted awareness campaigns aimed at breaking barriers hindering children from going to school. It is through these campaigns that Mumin’s parents heard about the importance of education for children and decided to enrol him.

"Several children at the camp have no access to education due to many factors. When Covid-19 hit, it became worse because schools were closed; when they were reopened, we realized that there were many others within the Dadaab Refugee Camp who remained out of school. We launched the campaign to speak to guardians and inform them of the importance of education for their children," said Elijah Makaye, Education Coordinator at the Camp.

Mumin’s parents say that the campaign messages on the need to ensure children learn, convinced them to take their son to school. They say that Mumin’s teachers love him because of his discipline and his urge to learn. Mumin is always punctual at school and he actively participates in class and in co-curricular activities.

When asked what his dreams are after finishing school he says, “When I grow up I want to become a doctor.”

Through the education program, Mumin has been supported with learning materials such as text books, exercise books and playing materials. Continuous assessments have revealed that Mumin* is doing very well in his studies. He can now read, write and perform basic numeracy tasks.

"We are very grateful for this program and for the support received. We know that Mumin’s future is bright and full of opportunities. We want to see him live his dream," Mumin’s parents say.

Currently, Mumin* has transited to a formal primary school within the camp. Save the Children continues to conduct learning assessments to ensure that Mumin has reached his full potential.

Save the Children with support from European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid (ECHO) is implementing an education programme in Dadaab Refugee Camp. The education program is being implemented in Hagadera, IFO and Dagahaley camps and targets children. The program seeks to ensure that every refugee child gets access to inclusive quality and safe learning opportunities.