“When I grow up and have my own business, I want to buy a house for my family and never let them stay at the IDP site anymore,” says 8-year-old Rehima Kemal, her voice filled with determination beyond her years. Her dream is not just about a better life for herself, but about lifting her family out of the uncertainty and hardship brought on by conflict and displacement. In the midst of a life uprooted by violence, Rehima holds onto a dream that shines brighter than the circumstances she faces.
Rehima attending class
Rehima’s life took an unimaginable turn when conflict forced her family to leave their home in search of safety. “I used to learn in school, but because of the conflict, I stopped. I was forced with my family to be displaced to here,” she recalls with a quiet sadness. Like many children in the Wayu Tuka District of Wollega, Oromia, Ethiopia, Rehima now lives in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, a world away from the stability and opportunities she once knew.
Despite the hardship of displacement, Rehima’s love for learning has never wavered. She remains resilient, finding hope and a sense of purpose through education. “Now, thanks to the FCDO Phase 2 UNICEF Project implemented by Imagine1day, I am getting support through the Accelerated Education Program (AEP), and it has helped me improve my writing and reading skills very well,” she shares with pride. The Accelerated Learning Program (ALP) has given her the tools to continue her education, even in the most difficult of circumstances.Rehima’s favorite subject is English, and the joy she finds in learning is palpable. “My favorite subject is English, and I love playing games with my friends here too,” she says with a smile, the simple pleasures of childhood still shining through even in the midst of adversity. “I love learning very much. I always feel happy when I go to school,” she adds.
While education has become her anchor, Rehima’s dreams stretch far beyond the classroom. At such a young age, Rehima has already learned the pain of displacement and the power of hope, and she dreams of a future where her family no longer has to live in uncertainty. Her selflessness is evident in her words—her ambition is not driven by a desire for personal gain, but by a deep love and commitment to those she holds dear.
Rehima is deeply grateful for the support she has received through the FCDO Phase 2 UNICEF Project, implemented by Imagine1day. “I am grateful for the support I got from the FCDO Phase 2 UNICEF Project implemented by Imagine1day. Thank you very much,” she says. The program has not only helped her academic development but has also given her hope for a brighter future—one where she can rebuild her life and the lives of her loved ones.
Rehima’s determination to rise above her circumstances, her love for learning, and her selfless dream for a better future are nothing short of inspiring. Through the support of the AEP, she has found a path forward, and in her dreams, a future where the uncertainty of displacement no longer holds her family back.
“I will work hard to make my dream come true,” Rehima declares with unwavering confidence. “I want to buy a house for my family and make sure they never have to live here again.” In her eyes, the dream of a better life is not just a fantasy—it is a goal she is determined to achieve, and with the support she has received, there is no doubt that Rehima will continue to shine brightly, no matter the challenges she faces.