Under the same sky ODV
A School in Somalia
Under the Same Sky is a volunteer organization that for thirteen years has believed in a fundamental right: education for all, girls and boys in the world’s poorest countries.
Our story began thirteen 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.
In thirteen years, 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 400 students in preschool, primary school, and secondary school.
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.
FOOD CRISIS
In the early months of 2026, the food crisis in Somalia is described as catastrophic, with food insecurity affecting approximately 6.5 million people. The crisis is caused by a combination of extreme drought, ongoing conflict, and rising prices for basic commodities. Children are severely affected: an estimated 1.85 million children under five suffer from acute malnutrition.
BREAKFAST AT USKY’S!
In this challenging context, the “Breakfast at Usky’s!” project, part of the broader #buongiornomaestra project, continues with a clear and precise objective: to guarantee girls and boys in the Halabooqad refugee camp access to primary education, basic services, and to combat the scourge of malnutrition.
MISSION
We believe that all girls and boys have equal rights, regardless of where they were born or live. We believe that the rights denied to those living in poverty and vulnerability are the responsibility of each of us. We want a world without discrimination based on income, gender, and so on.
VISION
We support basic education in the school of the refugee and displaced persons camp in Halabooqad, Somalia. Our approach is based on the involvement of the school’s teachers. Our intervention aims to improve the quality of life in the camp community, primarily through education, instruction, and care, ensuring one meal a day for the most vulnerable children.
BREAKFAST AT USKY!
Our project includes one meal a day, every morning, of porridge, prepared directly at our school by women from the camp (usually a couple of mothers from the school). Our school is not only a place where children can learn and enjoy a few hours of peaceful time, but it is also a place where many children can have a guaranteed meal.
“Many of our children are hungry, they fall asleep on their desks, often haven’t eaten for two days. I went to ask their mothers, and they told me they don’t even have the money to buy coal to cook.” These are the words of our Director, Mustafa.
A meal is more than just food: it is education, health, and a future for many children.
Our breakfast is based on protein porridge, specially designed to ensure the right amount of nutritional value for children suffering from malnutrition. It is a preparation made from sorghum flour, wheat flour, corn flour, and milk.
RUN WITH US TO FEED THE FUTURE
Every additional step guarantees a portion of protein porridge every morning for an entire school year for all our students attending the Halabooqad camp school. The school we have supported for years.
HERE’S WHAT YOUR RACE WILL FINANCE:
A daily porridge for approximately 400 students, a complete meal rich in proteins, vitamins, and carbohydrates.
€6,500 is our goal to feed our students for an entire school year.
How to help:
-€16: Guarantee breakfast for an entire school year (200 days) for one child.
-€32: Guarantee breakfast for an entire school year (200 days) for two children.
-€64: Guarantee breakfast for an entire school year (200 days) for three children.
-€160: Guarantee breakfast for an entire school year (200 days) for ten children.
Why it’s important:
• School breakfast ensures attendance and reduces dropouts.
• It provides a balanced diet and combats malnutrition.
• It supports small local producers.
