Turning Tragedy into Triumph

An Education Cannot Wait investment delivered by Save the Children in Iraq is supporting forcibly displaced girls and boys to access safe, inclusive and quality education.

By Education Cannot Wait

October 7^th, 2024

Adapted story from the field. Special contribution by Save the Children.

Nine-year-old Sara* knows what she wants to be when she grows up – and she knows she needs an education to get there. After her family fled the violent conflict in Syria, Sara was born in a refugee camp in northern Iraq, where access to education hasn’t always been easy.

Despite the harsh conditions and the constant uncertainty, Sara's thirst for knowledge kept her focused on her studies. But her journey took a devastating turn when a sudden accident resulted in a severe pelvic fracture and nine months of painful recovery. Tragically, her disability meant she couldn’t move without assistance. And because her family didn’t have the financial resources to buy her a wheelchair, she was left unable to go to school.

A Save the Children staff hands over learning materials to Sara as she goes to school © Save the Children Iraq

The Journey Back to School

Sara’s family turned to the school’s head teacher. Moved by her plight, the head teacher shared the story of Sara’s unwavering spirit with Save the Children, who are delivering a Multi-Year Resilience Programme in coordination with the Ministry of Education, with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW).

Through the support of the investment, Sara was provided with a wheelchair. This became not just a means of getting to school each day but a symbol of hope, freedom and the possibility of reclaiming her dreams.

“When I grow up, I want to become a doctor to help people who need treatment.” ~Sara, 9

Despite the months of missed classes, Sara’s determination to learn had not waned. Recognizing the need to help Sara catch up on her missed lessons, she was enrolled in accelerated learning classes, funded by ECW. These supplementary classes were crucial in bridging the gap in her education, providing her with the support she needed to excel.

Having fled the bloody civil war in Syria, Sara's family seek safety and refuge in Iraq. © Save the Children Iraq

Millions of Children Out of School in Iraq

According to UNICEF, 3.2 million school-aged Iraqi children are out of school. The many years of conflict in and around Iraq have uprooted millions of people. This includes 1.3 million internally displaced persons, 4.7 million returnees, and over 240,000 Syrian refugees. More than 50% of people living with disabilities over the age of 17 have not completed the primary cycle.

To date, ECW and its strategic donor partners have invested US$14.8 million in Iraq. The Multi-Year Resilience Programme has reached over 26,000 children with access to quality and holistic education. Over half of the children reached are girls.

The investment also provided financial support to teachers, built and rehabilitated classrooms, and provided bespoke training to ensure educators had the skills they needed to respond to the unique needs of girls and boys who have lived through the trauma of displacement and armed conflict. In response to the COVID pandemic, ECW provided a US$2.3 million First Emergency Response Grant that reached an additional 44,000 children.

Sara’s story reminds us that even in the face of the darkest challenges, the human spirit can shine brilliantly. Her dream of becoming a doctor is not just a career aspiration but also reflects her deep desire to heal and support others in need.

Access high-resolution photos from this story and our full media library on ECW’s FLICKR

Footnotes

*Name has been changed to protect identity. Written by Samuel Arowosafe

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FootNotes

*Name has been changed to protect identity. Written by Samuel Arowosafe