In Somalia, for more than 3 million children, getting a good education is out of reach.
Poverty, distance to the school, and the lack of security and teachers prevent parents from sending their children to school.
The situation for Somali girls is particularly difficult as they are often exposed to child marriage and gender-based violence. Safety concerns also stop girls from going to school, as do hygiene and sanitation needs.
EU humanitarian aid is supporting UNICEF in ensuring that more Somali girls and boys have the chance to go to school and get a good education.
With nomadic, pastoralist and other out-of-school children, this includes applying an adaptable calendar, providing temporary learning spaces, mobile libraries, and a specific curriculum for basic education.
When children get an education, they can realise their dreams – no matter how big they are! Story and photos by UNICEF Somalia.
Somalia-education to make dreams come true_01The EU supports UNICEF in ensuring that Somali girls and boys can attend school – equipping them with knowledge and skills for them to succeed in life and fulfil their dreams, no matter how big. 
Somalia-education to make dreams come true_02"When I grow up, I want to be a doctor or an engineer," says Abdikarim Ahmed Rookley. He likes to learn about health and things related to human life, and his favourite subject is science. "It is important to build my mind to attain my future goals.” 
Somalia-education to make dreams come true_03Mathematics is also Halimo Abdirahman Ismail’s favourite subject. “My education is important to me so that I can serve my parents and my community in the future,” she says. “I dream of using the knowledge I’ve gained and becoming the president one day,” 
Somalia-education to make dreams come true_04Some students prefer language to sciences. “I speak Somali as my mother tongue and it’s my favourite subject,” explains Abdishakur Mohamed Shiekh. He wants to learn in school and succeed in life.
