When Displacement Put Learning on Hold

Ayinalem is a 13-year-old girl from Awi Zone in Ethiopia’s Amhara region. She grew up in a caring and loving family, enjoying school and the simple routines of childhood. But in 2024, escalating conflict and political violence in the region disrupted the lives of thousands of families, including Ayinalem’s. The conflict in Amhara has resulted in widespread displacement and disrupted access to essential services, including education. For Ayinalem and her family, the situation became very severe that they were forced to leave their home and travel nearly 500 kilometers to Ziquala District. They left behind their property, livelihoods and belongings in search of safety. Although the family found a safe place to stay, displacement brought significant emotional, social, and economic challenges. For Ayinalem, still only a young girl, it was difficult to understand why her life had changed so suddenly. 

Two years and counting 

After the family’s displacement, Ayinalem was unable to continue her education for two years. The loss of her academic records, financial difficulties, and the family’s immediate focus on meeting basic needs made returning to school seem out of reach. As time passed, Ayinalem feared that her dream of completing her education might have come to an end. Yet, despite everything she had experienced, she still wanted to learn and return to school, a place where she could reconnect with other children, regain confidence, and look towards her future. 

A second chance  

In 2025, Ayinalem and her family received support through the Building Beyond Conflict (BBC) project, implemented by SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia with support from SOS Children’s Villages Worldwide and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland. Through the project’s Accelerated Learning Programme, Ayinalem was given an opportunity to catch up on the learning she had missed. She enrolled in Modality 2, Level 2 at a primary school in her community. The project also provided scholastic materials, including exercise books, pens and other essential supplies, helping remove some of the financial barriers that had prevented her from attending school regularly. Ayinalem embraced the opportunity with determination because she wanted not only to return to school but also to make up for the two years, she had lost and catch up with children her age. 

Turning opportunity into achievement 

Her hard work quickly began to show. Ayinalem achieved an average score of 85.8% across five subjects, ranking among the top-performing students at her school. She successfully completed the Accelerated Learning Programme and has been promoted to Grade 5 regular education for the 2019 E.C. (2026/27) academic year. For Ayinalem, returning to school has meant more than catching up academically. It has given her a sense of connection, renewed confidence and hope for the future despite the challenges and pain that brought her there in the first place. 

Reflecting on the opportunity, Ayinalem recalls: “When I heard about the opportunity, I was very happy. I was motivated because I wanted to learn, make up for the two years I had lost and catch up with children my age.” 

Ayinalem’s journey shows what can happen when children whose education has been interrupted by conflict receive the right opportunity and support. With timely educational support, appropriate learning opportunities, and determination, children can recover lost learning and continue building their futures. 

About the project 

The Building Beyond Conflict (BBC): Integrated Early Recovery and Humanitarian Response (2025–2027) project aims to address urgent humanitarian needs and support the recovery of conflict-affected communities in North Wollo and Waghimra zones of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The project targets 29,711 direct participants and over 89,000 indirect participants through integrated interventions in education, child protection, livelihoods, mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), nutrition, and multipurpose cash assistance. 

*To respect the person's privacy, their real name has not been used