A Dream for Learning That Endured Pain

Hilina is a 12-year-old girl driven by a deep passion for learning. She was born and raised in Dabo, a rural village in West Hararghe, where her family struggled to make ends meet. With little to no stable income, their resources were stretched thin, just enough to cover basic needs, but never enough to support their children’s education. Despite these challenges, Hilina attended a government school from kindergarten. As she grew older, however, she became aware of the gap between her ambitions and her reality. Without access to school supplies, proper meals, or academic support, staying in school became more difficult. Determined to change her circumstances, Hilina made a brave and mature decision and moved to Dire Dawa to live with her aunt, hoping for better opportunities and a chance to fully pursue her education. 

An unforeseen barrier 

Her aunt welcomed her warmly and did her best to provide support. But there was a challenge no one recognized. Hilina had a significant visual impairment that went unnoticed by the adults around her. What she experienced as constant blurriness and eye pain was dismissed as something temporary, something that would “go away on its own.” Over time, what seemed like a minor discomfort became a serious barrier. In the classroom, Hilina struggled to see the blackboard. She could not keep up with notetaking and began to fall behind. 

“I could not see the blackboard,” she recalls. “I could not write the notes in class, and I felt like I was losing my sight forever.” 

Without a diagnosis, her declining performance was seen as a lack of effort, despite her strong motivation to learn. 

Afraid of being teased or misunderstood, Hilina kept her struggle to herself. In many communities, challenges like vision problems are often overlooked, especially when they are not immediately visible. She repeated the same grade for two years, her confidence steadily eroding. Feeling that she was disappointing her aunt, Hilina pushed herself even harder. Her only way to keep up was to borrow her classmates’ books and copy notes after school. This exhausting routine strained her eyes further and left her disconnected from both her lessons and her peers. 

A turning point 

Everything changed the day Hilina found the courage to speak. She confided in her teacher, Almaz, someone she trusted and who had consistently shown her support. Hilina explained the difficulties she was facing and how her vision was affecting both her learning and her confidence. It was a simple but powerful act of courage, and Almaz listened and took action. She shared Hilina’s situation with community volunteers in Dire Dawa, who were connected to initiatives supporting underserved children. This led to a referral to SOS Children’s Villages in Ethiopia. 

Through the Advancing the Rights of Children and Young Adults with Disability project in Dire Dawa, implemented by SOS Children's Villages in Ethiopia with support from  SOS-Kinderdorf Schweiz an assessment was conducted in collaboration with government partners. For the first time, Hilina’s condition was properly understood. Following a medical examination, she received corrective eyeglasses, an intervention that was simple, yet life changing. But the support did not stop there. Hilina also received counseling to help her rebuild her confidence and cope with the emotional toll of her experience. This combination of medical and psychosocial support removed the barrier that had held her back for years, allowing her to fully participate in her education. 

A renewed passion for learning  

With her vision restored, Hilina no longer felt “different.” The classroom, once a place of frustration and anxiety, became a space of possibility. She now actively engages in class, asks questions, and reconnects with her peers. Her confidence has returned, and her enthusiasm for learning is stronger than ever. Today, Hilina has reclaimed her place at the front of the classroom. Now in Grade 6, she is performing at the top of her class, proving that her earlier struggles were never about a lack of ability. Her restored vision has also unlocked a new passion: drawing. In her free time, she creates art, capturing the beauty she once struggled to see.  

About the project  

Hilina’s journey is not an isolated case; it reflects the experiences of many children whose potential is limited by undiagnosed disabilities, lack of awareness, and limited access to basic services. 

During phase I, the Advancing the Rights of Children and Young Adults with Disability project made significant progress in Dire Dawa, increasing access to specialized assistive materials for nearly 530 children with disabilities. The project also strengthened Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and enhanced the capacity of local schools to provide inclusive education. Building on this success, Phase II (January 2025 – December 2027) aims to scale these interventions, ensuring that more children receive the support they need to thrive. Hilina’s story shows what becomes possible when barriers are identified and addressed early and when communities, educators, and systems work together. 

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