Under the same sky ODV
Under the Same Sky is a volunteer organization that for twelve years has believed in a fundamental right: education for all, girls and boys in the world’s poorest countries.
Our story began twelve years ago with a group of primary school teachers who decided to implement projects promoting global education, peace, and twinning projects with schools in various countries, primarily in Africa. We began by involving students from several primary schools in the province of Milan, culminating in the twinning project, meaningfully titled “Under the Same Sky,” between several classes from the Bussero (MI) primary school and children at a women’s support center in the Halabooqad refugee camp, Galkayo, Somalia.
Twelve years ago, we opened the first school in Somalia in a refugee camp, thanks to a partnership with GECPD, a center that serves young women, through various support and training programs for Somali teachers. Our school now hosts approximately 350 students divided into preschool, primary school, and secondary school. We have developed a residential summer camp project for children from the refugee camps surrounding Galkayo, promoting social interaction and sports. We have also developed refresher courses for physiotherapists at the rehabilitation center located in Galkayo.
SOMALIA: THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN WITHOUT SCHOOL
Somalia has been experiencing political instability, armed conflict, and severe drought for decades. Furthermore, the country is suffering from a SERIOUS EDUCATION CRISIS. Most children in the displaced person camps around Galkayo do not have access to school. This is primarily due to economic factors, but not only that; Somalia is one of the countries with the highest number of child recruitments into the armed forces. The number of refugees and displaced persons, however, is constantly increasing. In Somalia in particular, there are families who have been living in displaced person camps for decades, where children are born and grow up without knowing other life options. Access to primary education is almost entirely denied to children living in the camps due to extreme poverty, the need to work to support their families, or the lack of infrastructure. The education crisis is exacerbated by conflict, insecurity, and attacks on schools. Girls are particularly disadvantaged, with very low enrollment and attendance rates and are at risk of early marriage and violence.
GOOD MORNING, TEACHER!
In this challenging context, the GOOD MORNING, TEACHER project continues with a clear and precise goal: to ensure access to primary education for girls and boys in the Halabooqad refugee camp.
The project includes:
Enrollment and attendance starting from preschool: Children aged three and above can enroll in the first year of preschool, which has three sections, each with dedicated teachers.
Enrollment and attendance at primary school: Children in the camp can directly access the first grade of primary school, which has five sections and teachers trained in various subjects.
Access to lower secondary school is guaranteed to all students who have completed five years of primary school.
Continuing teacher training: We offer specific training on various education and instructional topics to our teachers; we offer teachers monthly financial support.
We provide in-depth workshop activities to supplement the curriculum.
Monitoring and awareness-raising: We monitor enrollment at the beginning of each school year and conduct a final follow-up at the end of each school year to assess the number of enrolled students and the number of students who have completed the school year.
We organize meetings with the children’s parents to raise awareness about education and schooling. We promote twinning activities between the Halabooqad school and several primary schools in the province of Milan.
Each year, the project involves approximately 370 children from the Halabooqad refugee camp, ten teachers and educators, a coordinator, a school custodian, and the children’s families.
Link utili: www.underthesamesky.it
