My education journey: The Story of Hanna Abraham
18-year-old Hanna Abraham pores intently into a Mathematics textbook at the library at the Peaceful Coexistence Centre (PCC) in Hargeisa. She tries to come to the library at least once a week.
Hannah at the PCC library in Hargeisa
Hanna’s favourite subject is Mathematics. Being able to use a library to study is an opportunity that she did not have while in her home country. Hanna is of Eritrean origin. Her mother is from Ethiopia. They left Ethiopia with Hanna’s three brothers, Nahom, Yared and Dawit, in 2008 and sought asylum in Hargeisa, Somaliland. They now live in Idaacada village. Hannah was only 8 when she arrived in Hargeisa. She had dropped out the school in Grade 8, but through support from UNHCR she managed to resume her studies at the Sheikh Madar Primary School in 2010.
“I was taken ill while in school and it took me two years to recover. UNHCR introduced me to the PCC where my brothers were enrolled. I took up Computer and English courses to recover the time I had lost and to catch up with my peers.”
Hanna is back at the Sheikh Madar Primary School and is now in Form 3. Her journey has been long and winding but she has not lost her confidence. She was among the top three in her class in a GCSE final exam. “I look forward to a bright future. I want to be a doctor when I complete my university education.”
“My dream is to become a doctor.”
The PCC is managed by the Somalia Country Programme of Action Africa Help International (AAH-I) with funding support from UNHCR. The PCC is a hub where communities have access to a library resource, training on various vocational and language skills and opportunities for social interaction. When Hanna is not at school she enjoys participating in various events at the PCC such as the World Refugee Day, International Women’s day and intercultural community days.
“The courses I took at the PCC made my education journey easier and helped me to build my confidence, “she concludes.