Individual Focus: Hala Omar Sheikh Ahmed

SAACID Shibis School Graduate 2001

Mother: Asha Haji Iman

Hala with SPSS School Principal and SAACID – Somalia’s Country Director

In Somalia, there has been no government at all since January 1991. This has meant no government support at all for things like education. What happens to the next generation of Somalis? Sadly, almost all do not get any education – creating a generation of uneducated and brutalised people.

When it became clear that the international community had given up on the Somali people, SAACID began to build and administer schools (1996) with the paltry resources it has. SAACID’s Country Director, Raha Janaqow, was interviewed for this article and said in passing, “We do what we can, but the need is overwhelming. We certainly give emphasis to girls education, because historically, girls have not had good educational opportunities”.

After a recent gathering of parents and students at SAACID’s Shibis Primary and Secondary School (SPSS) most conversations focused on one thing:

“Hala, no one can forget her. She was a role model for all students”.

“She was such a dynamic speaker at school events and fundraisers”.

“Teachers would even use her class notes to help struggling students”.

The conclusion was all the same, “What a unique and gifted Somali girl”!

Hala’s mother, Asha, had updated the crowd with the latest news on her daughter. Hala, who migrated to the U.K. after she graduated from SPSS in 2001, was just accepted into medical school with outstanding marks. This was no surprise to her old teachers and younger classmates who remember the infamous student with such admiration.

Teachers describe how, during Hala’s days at SPSS, younger girls were inspired by her discipline. When seeing her leadership and commitment to her studies they would imitate her style and positively change their behaviour. Even today, 5 years since she left, incoming students hear about Hala’s example, and her younger cousins insist on being enrolled at SPSS.

When Hala first transferred to SPSS in 1997 she hardly knew a word of English. She was previously educated at an Arabic school and before that by Italian Catholics. By the time she graduated she had the highest marks in her class. In the U.K., her SAACID leaving certificate was accepted and she entered preparatory college. From there she received the credentials to continue on to medical school.

Traditionally most Somali girls would be contemplating marriage by now. Stories are told of Somali boys who have sold their homes and pursued Hala in the U.K. with marriage proposals. Despite their efforts they are disappointed to learn that, for the time being, Hala’s heart is set on academic achievement. While this might concern some Somali mothers, Asha proudly supports her daughter.

Asha exclaimed, “When I received the phone call from Hala I was preparing a mixture of fresh fruit juice. I spilled everything when I heard the good news about medical school”.

Asha hasn’t seen her daughter since Hala went to the U.K. in 2001. Of her 12 children, only the youngest, 16 year-old Patricia, remains with her in Somalia. Patricia is currently enrolled in grade 9 at SPSS. In many other countries, the pressure of following such an outstanding sister might lead younger siblings into rebellion. In Somalia however, Patricia considers herself lucky.