Ethiopia: Husnia’s tale of hope and resilience
However, their lives took a devastating turn due to recurring droughts and conflicts in the Somali region. Between 2016 and 2019, four of their livestock died, and the seasonal rains failed, leaving their farm barren. To survive, they had to sell the remaining cattle, leading them into a cycle of poverty and uncertainty. After her husband passed away in 2018, Husnia struggled to feed and educate her children.
In 2019, a glimmer of hope emerged through the Education Cannot Wait Multi-Year Resilience Programme (ECW-MYRP). This initiative aimed to provide education to children affected by crises in Ethiopia, and part of the funding was allocated to the Somali region. The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) became an active implementing partner in the region.
The school in Hereysa, where Husnia's family lived, became one of the target schools for this project. Four of her children were among the participants of the project. They received essential school materials, benefited from the school feeding programme, and participated in various educational activities, transforming their lives and rekindling their hopes for a better future.
In addition to supporting her children's education, Husnia was selected as one of the vulnerable mothers to receive cash support. With the assistance of NRC's team, she invested in purchasing livestock, goats, oxen, and a cow, along with food items and school uniforms for her children. The newfound assets brought a sense of security and stability to her household, and Husnia's eldest daughter, Kaa'iba, could continue her high school education in Dhadhame town.
The positive impact of the project on Husnia and her children's lives was evident. From struggling to feed themselves to having a thriving business and being able to support her family, Husnia's life had transformed. Her children were regularly attending school, and she beamed with pride seeing them happy and learning.
Reflecting on the project's impact, Husnia said: "Before your help, we were a poor and orphaned family, often worrying about having enough food to survive. But thanks to your support, my children and I have everything we need. My children are very happy and regularly attending school."
Beyond the immediate benefits, Husnia has high hopes for her family's future. She plans to sustain her livestock business, support her children's education, and believes that one day they will graduate and become independent.
The story of Husnia Abdi Nuh is a testament to the power of education and resilience programmes in transforming lives. With the support of NRC and initiatives like ECW-MYRP, families like Husnia's are given the chance to overcome adversity, find hope, and build a brighter future for themselves and their communities.