In war-affected Sudan, Amna Oor’s school provides educational opportunities for individuals who missed formal schooling, particularly women and those displaced by conflict. With a mission to combat illiteracy, the school has empowered many to pursue their education and reclaim their futures amidst ongoing turmoil. Despite the war’s devastation on the education system, the determination to learn remains strong, enabling students to graduate and contribute positively to society.
In a classroom in eastern Sudan, individuals of varying ages attentively observe as a teacher inscribes Arabic letters on a weathered blackboard. The esteemed founder of the school, 63-year-old Amna Mohamed Ahmed, widely known as “Amna Oor”—a term meaning lion in the Beja language—has dedicated three decades to facilitating education for hundreds in Port Sudan, which serves as the country’s de facto capital. She initiated this educational venture in 1995 to combat the significant illiteracy rates in her community.
For 39-year-old Nisreen Babiker, returning to school has realized a long-held aspiration. She had to leave her education in 2001 due to marriage and responsibilities towards her younger siblings following her father’s passing. Babiker expressed, “My siblings grew up and studied, and my children too. I felt the urge to return to school. Even after all these years, it feels like I’m starting fresh.”
Ahmed’s school also serves as a sanctuary for those displaced by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023 between military leaders Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the head of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This war has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, the uprooting of over 12 million individuals, and significant hunger across the nation. Among those seeking safety is 28-year-old Maria Adam, who joined Ahmed’s school after fleeing her home and lamented dropping out of school at age 11.
“I want to finish my education so I can help my children,” Adam stated. The conflict has devastated Sudan’s education system, with estimates from the United Nations indicating that over 90 percent of 19 million school-age children lack access to formal education. Many classrooms have been repurposed as shelters for the displaced. A 2022 Save the Children analysis ranked Sudan among the nations most vulnerable to educational collapse.
Despite these challenges, the commitment to education remains robust at the Port Sudan institution, with numerous students successfully entering high school or even graduating from university. In one part of the classroom, a mother attends lessons alongside her young son, aiming to transform both of their futures. Ahmed remarked, “To watch someone go from not knowing how to read or write to graduating from university, getting a job, and supporting their family—that is what keeps me going. They go from being seen as a burden to becoming productive, educated members of society.”
In summary, Amna Oor’s school in Port Sudan stands as a beacon of hope amid chaos, offering marginalized individuals, especially women and those displaced by conflict, a chance to reclaim their education. As war disrupts the traditional education system, this establishment proves invaluable. Through perseverance and commitment, students not only seek personal growth but also aspire to uplift their families and communities.
Original Source: www.iosconews.com
