The 13 years old, Toyba Mohammed was born in Dulessa Woreda, Bolhamo village, in Ethiopia. When she was old enough for schooling, her parents sent her to a nearby school. However, after completing only grade one, her family moved to Dulessa Woreda, Megella village. Unfortunately, there was no school nearby. She was no longer able to continue her education.
After three years of absence from schools, she was able to resume her education when the CHANGE project became operational in her village. “I feel blessed,” she states. Toyba was registered with the project together with other marginalized and drop out girls aged 9-19 to have basic access to education. After the registration process, learning centers and a latrine were built, scholastic materials arranged.
Then the teaching and learning process started. “I am sure, no one in the learning center is as happy as I am.” Toyba proudly claims. “I now identify most alphabets and numbers. With the help of my teacher, I am progressing quite good in a short span of time.”
According to Toyba, her family, especially her mother who also participates in the project program as a ‘model mother’, motivates and encourages her to excel in her studies. “Now I can read sentences, write my name, and try to write my family’s names. I also help my family now by writing and saving phone contact numbers. I am having high hopes for my future”, she states.
Not only did Toyba and the other girls get access to education, they also are provided with sanitary materials like dignity kits, underwear, soap as well as water filtering materials.
Going to school means much more than learning to read and write. It is building a future.
The CHANGE project ended in October 2023. It was funded to help local authorities’ efforts through enabling marginalized girls aged between 9-19, to get basic literacy and numeracy skills. Activities of the program were supported in four regions of the country, among these regions the Afar region is one. Here the project was co-led by A2015 members Welthungerhilfe and People in Need, and it has created an opportunity for more than 4,500 marginalized girls to have access to education. Project number ETH 1164
