Education is far from guaranteed for children and young people in Somalia. There is a lack of schools, and the ones that exist are poorly equipped. Often, the most basic necessity is missing: access to water hence poor sanitation and hygiene.
3,000 schoolchildren need water
In recent years, arche noVa has reached around 15,000 students and teachers with WASH activities. WASH stands for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene.
Currently, six more schools with at least 3000 children are part of our country program.
We urgently appeal for donations to support this cause.
Jowhar Bile School Lacked Water
At the large campus of Jowhar Bile School in Guulwade, which houses both a primary and secondary school, there was for a long time only one water tap. The children and young people crowded around this single water source during breaks. There was hardly enough water for everyone.
“In the past, we didn’t have proper sanitation facilities and had very little access to water,” says Deputy Principal Mohamed Abdi Sharif. The poor water supply and lack of sanitation and poor hygiene made teaching and learning very difficult.
Abdifatah: It’s Hard to Learn When You’re Thirsty
“A thirsty student can’t focus on the teacher, and a thirsty teacher can’t teach effectively,” summarizes Abdifatah Nur Abdullahi. The student in his final year observed that since his enrolment, his classmates often left class to fetch water from home.
What was especially alarming: Even the teachers often had to interrupt lessons to go to the toilet either in the vicinity or at home.
Today, the water supply at Jowhar Bile School is ensured. As part of our project, the water system was expanded, new toilets were built, and handwashing stations were installed. Our local partner organization, PAH, carried out the work and conducted hygiene training.
The humanitarian need in Somalia is enormous. In our project region, 28 percent of people lack access to safe drinking water. Frequent and severe water borne diseases are the result – especially among children. That’s why water projects are so important. Every school where arche noVa ensures water and sanitation improves the well-being and health of students.
When schools have access to proper water and sanitation facilities, it significantly enhances the educational, health and wellbeing success and, in turn, the future of the children and young people.
AT A GLANCE: arche noVa in Somalia
Somalia ranks near the bottom of the Global Development Index. The people face severe consequences of natural disasters and political instability. Water scarcity and food shortages shape daily life.
arche noVa has been working in Somalia since 2016. A total of 200,000 people have been reached, including more than 15,000 students and teachers.
Our Activities:
- WASH: Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene in communities as well as in schools and healthcare facilities
- Supporting the population with disaster preparedness
- Livelihoods strengthening income-generating measures for particularly vulnerable target groups
- Strengthening climate change adaptation
Our Partner Organisations:
Action for Social and Economic Progress, action medeor, Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe, Polish Humanitarian Action
