Imagine1day in partnership with UNICEF implemented an impactful initiative designed to support children affected by drought, floods, and other natural disasters in the South Omo Dasenech District, of the South Ethiopia region. Running from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024, this project, with a total budget of 26,079,347 ETB provided integrated education, child protection, and life skills services to children who are among the most vulnerable in this crisis-impacted region. The general objective of this initiative is to improve learning through equitable access to resilient and quality education and child protection services for emergency-affected children.

At the core of the project are three key pillars: Education, Protection, and Life Skills Development. Through the education pillar, 2,200 out-of-school children with an age range of 10 – 14, including 220 children with disabilities, are reached with the Accelerated Education Program (AEP) to catch up on missed learning and acquire foundational skills. Imagine1day has handed over fully furnished Temporary Learning Spaces (TLSs), which were constructed and used for the AEP as a part of the project to the government. The TLSs have been serving as the only regular schools the government has been using to endure education in the district. Students who completed the AEP have pursued their education being linked to regular school in these TLSs.

   

   

   

   

The life skills component has reached 5,760 children across different age groups (7-10, 11-14, and 15-18 years), with 557 children with disabilities benefiting from tailored non-formal and formal life skills programs. These children have received training in personal empowerment, communication skills, peacebuilding, and employability, helping them to better navigate the challenges of their circumstances and build resilience for the future.

In parallel, the child protection pillar has reached 15,500 children, including 1,550 children with disabilities, through targeted interventions aimed at preventing violence, exploitation, and abuse. This includes case management services for children at risk of gender-based violence (GBV), child marriage, child labor, trafficking, and other forms of harm. The project focused on providing a safe and supportive environment where children can learn, grow, and recover from the trauma of crisis. It also reinforced local schools’ ability to deliver education by enhancing their capacity to provide primary and lower secondary education to displaced and vulnerable children in the most disadvantaged areas. This includes support for emergency school feeding programs to ensure that children have the nutrition they need to learn effectively.

Mental Health Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS) is one of the key features of the project. Vulnerable children have access to individual psychological first aid, structured group socio-emotional learning sessions, and positive parenting programs, which are crucial in helping children cope with the psychological impacts of disaster and displacement. Furthermore, the project has established safe, accessible, and child-sensitive reporting mechanisms for Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), allowing children and their families to report concerns in a safe and confidential manner. The interventions also include risk mitigation, prevention, and response measures aimed at addressing and reducing the incidence of gender-based violence (GBV).

Through this integrated approach, the project is not only addressing the immediate educational and protection needs of affected children but also fostering long-term resilience by equipping them with the skills and support systems they need to rebuild their lives. With a strong focus on inclusivity, particularly for children with disabilities, we are working to create a nurturing environment where every child has the opportunity to thrive despite the adversities they face.

Our collective commitment is improving the lives of the most vulnerable children in South Omo, ensuring that they have access to a brighter, safer future.

However, the district is still facing significant educational challenges due to the flooding of over 14 schools and the ongoing impact of the Omo River overflow and drought.

Story: Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Displacement and Disability in Emergency

“I was out of school for two years—one due to flooding and another because of a leg disability I developed after birth while herding cattle. I had lost hope, but thanks to the support from UNICEF and Imagine1day, I was able to regain my mobility with the provision of crutches and, most importantly, the chance to continue my education,” says Achiyasa Lorikoy, a 13-year-old grade 3 student at the Kalem IDP site in the Dasenech district of the South Ethiopia region, Ethiopia.

Achiyasa in his school

Achiyasa was displaced from Dimch community in Dasenech district of the South Ethiopia region to the Kalem IDP site with his parents and his 6 siblings. His life was turned upside down by the unfortunate consequences of his journey of displacement.

“Our home was completely flooded,” Achiyasa recalls with a quiet sadness. “We had to leave everything behind and move to Kalem IDP.” It wasn’t just the displacement that changed his world; more devastation followed when a tragic event, occurring while Achiyasa was herding cattle with his friends, shattered his sense of security and made it clear that his life would never be the same again.

“I was suddenly shot in the leg. My friends ran away, leaving me all alone. I couldn’t believe it when my parents arrived, they told me the unknown armed forces were in the area and took me away. The incident left me physically disabled, depressed, and traumatized,” he admits. “It was hard for me to move. I couldn’t do anything like I used to. Everything felt impossible.”

Achiyasa stayed out of school due to the overwhelming challenges, he had faced one after the other until he met Imagine1day’s experts during their visit to the Kalem IDP site.

Achiyasa with his teacher

“I told them I couldn’t walk because of my leg, and that I needed help to go to school,” he recalls. “They came back after two weeks, bringing everything I needed to study—books, pens, a school bag—and a hand crutch to help me move. I am no longer stuck in my house, anxious and alone. I have never missed a class since then,” he says, his voice filled with gratitude.

Achiyasa was also provided with psychosocial support (PSS). “The PSS sessions helped me. They encouraged me to play with my friends and not worry about my disability,” Achiyasa explains. “When there’s a game that I can’t play because of my leg, I am the judge. I feel part of the group again.”

Through the intervention, Achiyasa not only regained his physical independence but also his emotional strength.

“I also get life skills training that boosted self-confidence, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities,” he says, smiling slightly.

Mathematics is his favorite subject. “I like numbers,” he says with a sparkle in his eye. “It’s like solving a puzzle. I want to keep studying and get even better at it. I want to be the chief administrator of Dasenech district so that I can make changes for children like me,” he says, his voice firm with determination.

Achiyasa calls for action mentioning that his path to that leadership role is uncertain. The fact that the project has already been phased out of the region, and Achiyasa’s future education is at risk without continued support.

“I heard the intervention is finalized, so I can’t continue my studies unless someone else comes to help,” he says. “I don’t want to stop now. Neither do others like me, who have suffered so much. We need this support to keep going.”

 

 

Story: Rebuilding Lives: Fostering Resilience and Reunification in Crisis

“We were living in Selegn when the Omo River flooded, I was so scared—one of my friends was swept away by the flood. I never saw him again. The flood took away most of our cattle, and the water destroyed our school. ” Koribe Yerdir a 12-year-old grade 3 student at Sirilign IDP site in Dasenech district of South Ethiopia region, Ethiopia recalls, his voice tinged with the remnants of memory.

Koribe with his mother

Koribe was displaced from Selegn community to Omo rate town, separated from his family, and forced to live on the street until the Imagine1day social worker met him.

Koribe says, “In the chaos, I was lost, wandering as a street child in Omo rate town. It was a terrifying time. I was so sad and lonely crying the whole day, ” Koribe says, remembering the uncertainty and fear that defined the tough time.

But right when Koribe’s situation seemed unbearable, UNICEF and Imagine1day happened to his life with hope. Imagine1day’s social worker found Koribe living on the streets and listened to his story. “He asked me where I was from, and I told him I had lost everything,” Koribe explains. “Two weeks later, Imagine1day helped me reconnect with my parents in Lomosya Kebele. I couldn’t believe it when they brought me home. I am very grateful to UNICEF and Imagine1day for the support.”

48-year-old Yerdir Lokoribo, Koribe’s mother, who had feared she had lost her son forever, recalls the emotional reunion: “It was the most overwhelming moment of my life when Imagine1day brought Koribe back to me. I had been searching for him for so long. My heart was broken, but when I saw him again, I felt alive.”

The intervention has empowered Koribe and countless other children like him to find a path to resilience, recovery, and hope for a brighter future. Through the support provided, they have regained access to education, found safety, and rediscovered a sense of belonging—transforming their lives from one of despair to one of opportunity and promise.

Koribe doing a class activity

Koribe was not only reunited with his family but he was also given essential supplies that restored his sense of dignity and hope. “I am provided shoes, clothes, and even 50 kilograms of corn powder for food,” Koribe recalls, his eyes brightening as he remembers the kindness he received. “It felt like I was a child again—like I had a future.

Koribe is provided with scholastic materials—books, pens, exercise books—and most importantly, the opportunity to access education. “I had been out of school for three years. I felt hopeless at first. But Imagine1day gave me a chance to start again,” he says.

Koribe’s favorite subject is environmental science. “I love learning about the environment. I want to help protect it, especially in my community,” he shares with a smile.

Yerdir, now able to support her son’s education, passionately urges for continued assistance, “The lack of drinking water is a big challenge. Our community faces drought, and our children need water to stay healthy and learn properly. Education is important, but without basic needs being met, it’s hard to focus. The intervention is great but we need more help, especially with water and feeding programs. Without these, our children will not be able to thrive.”

Despite these challenges, Koribe remains determined to achieve his dreams. “I want to be a doctor,” he says, his voice filled with hope and ambition. “There are many people in our community who need medical help, and I want to be there for them.” His mother proudly nods in agreement: “Koribe has always wanted to help others. Now, with Imagine1day’s support, he has a real chance to make that dream come true.”

Reflecting on how the intervention has impacted their lives, Koribe’s mother shares with deep gratitude, “UNICEF and Imagine1day are like a father to our children. They’ve supported us in ways we could never have imagined. They’ve brought our children back to school, they have given us food, and they have given us hope.

 

 

Story: Nekerte’s Journey of Unity, Hope, and Empowerment

Nekerte (sitting) with her family

“UNICEF in collaboration with Imagine1day reunified me with my family after 2 years of separation and life on the street following flood and draught in my community,” says Nekerte Lomorimay a 13 years old grade 3 student at Sirilign IDP site in Dasenech district of South Ethiopia region, Ethiopia.

Nekerte has already endured hardships most people can’t imagine while she was only 11. Separated from her family due to devastating floods in Selegn Kebele, she was left to fend for herself, finding temporary refuge in a church before it was flooded after two months. “I was shocked when many houses, schools, churches, and water facilities were submerged in water,” Nekerte recalls. “My parents left me behind, and I thought I had lost everything.”

Nekerte was displaced to Omorate town, where she has lived all alone, struggling to survive on the streets. Her hope of continuing her education seemed impossible. Nekerte says, “I had no hope. I never thought I would see my family again, let alone go back to school. Until I heard about Imagine1day’s intervention, which reconnects displaced children with their families and provides educational support.”

Nekerte engaging in-class activity

Nekerte went to the Imagine1day office and she was accepted as a separated child to stay in the children’s center until her family was found and she got reunified.

“I felt safe and better for the first time after I was separated from my family when I joined the children’s center. I am happy Imagine1day provided me with clothes, corn powder, sleeping, and scholastic materials while reunifying me with my family,” Nekerte shares with a smile. Nekerte was able to cope with the trauma of her experience on the journey of displacement she had been suffering from when she first joined the school.

Wendu teaching AEP

“Nekerte was traumatized when she first came to school, but through the repeated Psycho-Social Support (PSS) we provided, with the community social workers, she was able to regain a sense of normalcy. The integration of child protection and life skills into the Accelerated Education Program (AEP) has been instrumental in helping Nekerte and her peers not only overcome trauma but successfully complete the program. However, there are significant challenges: the ongoing severe drought has left the school feeding program as the only source of food for the students, and it is not enough to meet their needs. Additionally, as facilitators, we believe our impact would be even greater if we had access to more prolonged training. Despite these challenges, I want to express my sincere gratitude to UNICEF and Imagine1Day for their transformative work in improving the lives of children in our community,” says Wendu Adem, a 30-year-old AEP facilitator at the Sirilign IDP site.

In just one year, Nekerte completed two grade levels and earned third place in her class of 55 students, giving her a chance to catch up on two years of lost schooling. “Now I am in grade 3, and I’m very happy. But challenges remain. I have to walk a long distance to fetch drinking water, and I can’t study at night, as there is no electricity. Many of my friends have the same problems,” she says, advocating for more support for children in similar situations. Despite these obstacles, Nekerte dreams of becoming a teacher so that she can teach those who didn’t have the opportunity to get an education, just like she did.

 

Staff Profile: Abdella Hassen – Partnership and Grant Manager

Abdela Hassen

Abdella Hassen has been working at Imagine1day over the last nine years, where he has progressively taken on more responsibility. His roles have included Administration Assistant, Human Resource and Administration Officer, Child Protection and Education in Emergency Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, and Information Management Officer. He currently serves as the Partnership andGrant Manager, overseeing critical grant processes and ensuring effective resource allocation and management.

Abdella holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and graduated with honors from Leadstar College of Management. He began his career as an administrative assistant, supporting the finance, human resources, and logistics departments in areas such as finance, personnel management, and logistics facilitator.

Throughout his career, Abdella gained a diverse range of experiences. He completed the Light Year Leadership Training Program, which further strengthened his leadership and management skills. Abdella is highly committed to professional growth, leadership, and making a meaningful impact on organizational development.

 

 

 

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