Near East Foundation - For Some It's Getting, for Others It's Giving--But It's All about Education

Mohamed El-Tayeb ventured into the simple, dusty streets of his neighborhood in Dar-al-Salam-Taiwidat on the outskirts of Sudan's capital Khartoum, like the legendary Pied Piper of Hamelin--only with a lure of delicious desert dates. This was his imaginative way of attracting large numbers of boys and girls, mostly orphans, off the streets of one of the poorest areas of the city and away from a gloomy future at best, into school.

Very much his school, in fact, and a community school as well: located on land he donated, almost-free, mud-brick, single-story, with five rooms, without a roof, water, or sanitation facilities, and built by volunteers using local materials. Despite its modesty, this is a dream come true for Mr. El-Tayeb, who six years ago went to the community's Popular Committee on which he serves, and presented his idea of starting a small primary school as an alternative to distant, expensive and overcrowded public schools.

Now six years later, his dream has come true. He is the administrator of a school with 250 students, most under 10 years of age and 40 percent of them orphans. Tuition is $5 a year, plus $20 for books and school supplies. They are taught by eight teacher-volunteers from the area, usually college students receiving an incentive of $25 per month. Something of a family enterprise as well, for Mr. El-Tayeb is now married, his wife is helping and a teacher in the school. He also has a two-year-old daughter, who will soon join them at the school as a student. Further, his two orphan nieces are staying with him so they can attend his school.

But sometimes getting what you want can create problems. "I tried to step-down and free myself many times," he admitted, "so I can continue my own education, or maybe get a job to support my expanding family. But I just couldn't do it. I feel responsible for this entire young generation in my community," he continued, adding, "They see me as a hope and an example. I can't let them down. It is my struggle between getting and giving an education."

Mr. El-Tayeb's community is mostly inhabited by between 35,000 to 45,000 displaced people originally from southern and western parts of Sudan. They were relocated following the 1992 US bombing of the Al-Shifa pharmaceutical company, when to avoid future attacks, the Khartoum Municipality evacuated areas around the plant and shifted residents to Dar El-Salaam-Taiwidat. Here they face many problems: insufficient health services, high illiteracy, massive unemployment, and chronic poverty.

FUNDS NEEDED FOR ROOF, WATER, BOOKS

Because of such desperate needs, Near East Foundation (NEF) got involved. In partnership with a partner organization, NEF is trying to buy books for students and teachers at Mr. El-Tayeb's school, construct a new tin roof to replace the current temporary reed mat roof NEF donated, and install two water tanks for the entire community--not just for the school.

($15 pays school fees and books for a child for an entire year; $350 supports a teacher’s salary for a year; $250 provides health care to an entire family for a year; and $3,500 would bring water to the school.)

"What's different about this school is the feeling of responsibility and ownership this community has for their school," commented NEF Regional Director Roger Hardister. "It is a very good example of the benefits of working with people to improve something they have done themselves, rather than working as an outsider trying to start something new on your own," he continued, "Here we find real long-term commitments by those involved, not just the paid-for inputs of project employees."

The same area also benefits from NEF's micro-credit programs, in cooperation with the British-based charity, Christian Aid, and the Kuwait International Development Fund. In partnership with the Population Council, NEF has completed construction of a clinic providing badly-needed reproductive and other health services to 7,000 displaced persons organized into six area blocks. And during the Holy month of Ramadan, NEF and a partner organization distributed two-week, nutritional packages to a number of families--including a mother who fainted after receiving one. It was her first meal in three days.