Rehabilitation of school brings fortune

The UNDP’s Employment Generation for Early Recovery Project recently undertook the rehabilitation of Mahamud Hirsi Sidin School in Wadajir District. The school’s physical condition was in a terrible state to the extent that normal operations were stopped. “Classes were in deplorable state. It was difficult to learn in a dilapidated classroom. The roof was so old that it could hardly protect us from the scorching sun”, explains Salah Yusuf Omar, a student. “It was also difficult to stay in the classroom during the rainy season”. Today, the physical conditions of the school look attractive e and conducive for learning. Apart from roofing, the security wall was also rebuilt. The floors have also been redone. Learning has now resumed.   Aasha Mohamud Awaale*, a mother of 6, was hired by the project to rehabilitate the Mahamud Hirsi Sidin School. Prior to this project, she lived a difficult life. She worked for many years as a house help and never made ends meet. Her daily earnings of less than two dollars were not enough to cater for the needs of the family.  Aasha’s husband has been unemployed for a long time. Aasha worked for 26 days during the rehabilitation of the school and earned 78 dollars. She then started a small vegetable selling business in Medina market. The business has picked up very well. Today, Aasha generates enough income to feed and clothe her family.   The rehabilitation of Mahamud Hirsi Sidin School was implemented by UNDP through the Recovery and Sustainable Livelihoods (RSL) Programme under the Area Based and Early Recovery (ABER) Project. *name has been changed