Crisis In Ethiopia case studies
Case studies for Crisis In Ethiopia appeal
Mahlet, 12
Once bubbly and joyful, the trauma of the last few years has left Mahlet as a shy young girl who often gets upset when she is spoken to. For Mahlet and her classmates, school was a space to learn, grow and play with friends but now, after the civil war, it is much more subdued with emptier classrooms and quieter corridors, as the battle with hunger becomes increasingly harder to overcome.
Mahlet understands the importance of school but a lack of food at home and no school feeding programme means her attendance, like that of many other children, is constantly at risk.
She says: “School is important because I play with others and learn, and it helps me leave the worries I have at home behind because my mother has no food for me."
Lewte, 12
There is currently no meal provided in Lewte's primary school, which was diligently built by the community several years ago but significantly damaged during the war. It still serves as a place of learning, but the building – with smashed windows, blast-scarred walls, and damaged blackboards – is far from ideal.
The two-year conflict stole so much from him – including his education and his father. He says: "Because of the drought … my mother has nothing, no money or food to help me.”
Lewte said he enjoys coming to school, but his teacher has noticed a big change in him recently. She says: "Before, he was funny, he was compassionate, he was laughing and joking with his friends, but now he is silent. He no longer communicates with others."
Despite previously being “a student who liked gaining knowledge”, Lewte is now lethargic, falling asleep in class, and “seems to be losing interest in school”.
Meargu, 17
17-year-old Meargu used to dream of being a writer, but right now, he lacks the essential conditions to learn and often misses classes.
Meargu’s teacher explains the personal loss the war has heaped on him: “His father disappeared during the conflict, they suspect he is dead. Now Meargu is living with his grandmother, but she told him, ‘I can’t feed you. You have to work and you have to also support me.’ He is in a very desperate condition.
“He was one of the top students, but now his performance is decreasing. He is not attending school regularly. He was a disciplined and well-mannered boy, but now he is fearful.”
Meargu says: “[I face] social and psychological problems. I can’t go to school because I don’t have enough food, or clothing or school materials like exercise books and pencils.”
