In the heart of Casbuli camp, nestled in Ethiopia’s Somali Region, a young boy called Mohamed operates a wheelchair which has helped him to propel towards education, despite the many obstacles in his path.
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Mohamed wants to learn against all odds
Life in Casbuli is harsh and unforgiving. The camp is home to countless families who have been displaced by conflict and drought. Mohamed's family, once pastoralists constantly on the move in search of water and pasture for their cattle, lost everything when the ethnic-based conflict in Ethiopia escalated in 2018. Fleeing with his grandmother and a few belongings, Mohamed also endured the heart-wrenching loss of his parents due to the violence.
Despite these immense hardships, Mohamed's desire to learn remained undiminished. He convinced his grandmother to allow him to study the Quran at a nearby mosque, where he would drag himself across the rough ground every day to attend class.
Recognising the critical need for educational support in the region, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), with funding from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), launched a project to improve access to education for children in Casbuli. The initiative began with a community seminar, bringing together families and religious leaders to emphasise the importance of education for all children, including those with disabilities.
Life in Casbuli is harsh and unforgiving. The camp is home to countless families who have been displaced by conflict and drought. Mohamed's family, once pastoralists constantly on the move in search of water and pasture for their cattle, lost everything when the ethnic-based conflict in Ethiopia escalated in 2018. Fleeing with his grandmother and a few belongings, Mohamed also endured the heart-wrenching loss of his parents due to the violence.
Despite these immense hardships, Mohamed's desire to learn remained undiminished. He convinced his grandmother to allow him to study the Quran at a nearby mosque, where he would drag himself across the rough ground every day to attend class.
Recognising the critical need for educational support in the region, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), with funding from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO), launched a project to improve access to education for children in Casbuli. The initiative began with a community seminar, bringing together families and religious leaders to emphasise the importance of education for all children, including those with disabilities.
Inspired by the seminar, Mohamed's grandmother decided to enrol him in school. NRC's project didn't stop at raising the community’s awareness. They also referred Mohamed to the local education office, who provided him with a wheelchair. This crucial support transformed Mohamed's journey to school, making it possible for him to attend classes.
At Casbuli Primary School, Mohamed joined the accelerated education programme, receiving books, notebooks, and a uniform. For the very first time, he experienced the joy of sitting in a classroom, surrounded by his peers.
"I am always eager to study and go to school like my friends," Mohamed says, beaming with pride. "The support I received from NRC means the world to me."
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