Go for it Bakhita! Pushing the barriers of social norms to get girls in school
Diffra Village — Abyei North Area

Nine years old Bakhita Mohamed, is the youngest of six siblings (4 sisters and a brother), living with her father in Difraa, Abyei. Bakhita has grown up in a family where none of the girls in her family have ever been to school. Her father, Mohamed, believed in the gender stereotype role of girls to cook food, raise chicken and look after animals, jobs which don’t need an education, and for him was a waste of time. Bakhita was not happy and wanted to attend school, so she could read and write like her friend Haleema.
One day Bakhita was sent to look after cattle, as she was strolling along, she heard a loud voice talking about education. Bakhita followed the voice that led to a big tent where teachers and students were crowding around an elderly man, who was speaking about the support being provided to schools in Abyei by Global Aid Hand (GAH) and UNICEF. He highlighted the rehabilitation of classrooms and the provision of school supplies such as boards, drawings materials, bags, as well as sports equipment.
As she listened Bakhita felt bubbling excitement, but was at the same time saddened that she will not be benefiting from this great opportunity for education in Abyei. However she learnt that there will be home visits by a Teacher Sitana from GAH, to motivate community members to send their children to school. Her eyes filled with tears as she realized there might just be hope. She returned home but did not say anything to her father.
Bakhita anxiously waited every day for Sitana to come to their home to convince her father to send her to school and she did not have to wait long. Three days later Teacher Sitana was at her house. Her father, Mohamed, was away at work in the neighbourhood and whilst the teacher waited Bakhita used to opportunity to make a passionate plea to be able to go to school.
Teacher Sitana waited for her father to come home and talked to him for long time about the rights of education and how education help girls protect them self, help them to be good mothers, better support the family and contribute much more to their communities. The father was initially quite adamant. However after much negotiation and pleading, he later agreed to let Bakhita to go school on condition that she continues with all her chores after classes. Bakhita was over herself with excitement and couldn’t believe it was actually happening.
She couldn’t sleep well at night and was up and about very early to finish her morning chores and get ready for school. Bakhita was registered in Grade one at the Diffra Basic School and was provided with school books and bags supported by UNICEF. Teacher Sinata was so moved by her determination she offered to coach her through extra classes.
Bakhita came home that day very happy walking with her friend Halema and other friends running, laughing and singing, a scene that Bakhita was dreaming for long time to be part of.
Finally this distant dream was a tangible reality, thanks to the continued support of partners. A year on Bakhita scored high grades in her final exams and has been promoted to the next grade.
Go Bakhita!
