Twelve-year-old Abdifatah sits on a woven mat with his two sisters outside his family’s makeshift shelter in Bardheere, his schoolbooks spread before him. Just a few months ago, studying after sunset was impossible. Once darkness fell, the absence of light meant no reading, no finishing homework, and no preparation for the next school day.
“We like school very much, but without light, it is very difficult for us to read,” says Abdifatah, adjusting the solar-powered lantern now illuminating their study space. “Before, we had to stop studying early. We couldn’t even visit our neighbors or go to the toilet at night because it was too dark.”
Abdifatah dreams of becoming a teacher when he grows up. For him, studying hard—even at night—is the first step toward realizing this goal. “I want to help other children learn, just like my teachers help me,” he says with determination
In displacement sites across Bardheere, Doolow, and Belet-Xaawa in Gedo, thousands of children like Abdifatah face similar challenges. The lack of lighting not only disrupts their education but also limits their social interactions and poses safety risks. Without a reliable source of light, children are forced to rely on dim and unsafe alternatives, if any, making it nearly impossible to complete their studies after school.
To address this challenge, Northern Frontier Youth League (NoFYL), with support from UNICEF, distributed 1,500 solar-powered lanterns to displaced households across the three districts in Gedo region. The intervention is already making a significant impact, helping school-going children continue their education even after nightfall.
For parents like Halima, a mother of four in Doolow, the lanterns brought relief: “Before, my children had to finish all their schoolwork before sunset. Now, they can read at night. I see a big difference in their learning,” she shares. “Even simple things like cooking or going to the toilet at night is now safer.”
The provision of solar lanterns is more than just a lighting solution; it is a lifeline for education. Many students in these displacement sites dream of a brighter future, but the absence of basic necessities like lighting hinders their ability to excel in school. For Fatuma, a 10-year-old in Belet-Xaawa, the change has been remarkable. “Now, I can read my books and do my homework. I feel happy because I don’t have to struggle in the dark.”
Beyond education, the lanterns have improved safety and restored a sense of normalcy for families. No longer do children have to navigate dark paths to shared latrines or end their evenings in fear. Instead, they can focus on their studies, visit neighbors, and engage in simple nighttime activities that many take for granted.
By bringing light to the displaced families, NoFYL and UNICEF are not just providing lanterns; they are illuminating pathways to knowledge, safety, and hope. As Abdifatah and his sisters flip through the pages of their school books under the steady glow of their solar light, one thing is certain — his dream of becoming a teacher is no longer limited by the setting sun.