STORY: Iqras triumph in the face of

adversity gives hope to Somali youth

TRT: 03:11
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LANGUAGE: SOMALI/NATURAL SOUND
DATELINE: 14/MAY/2017, BELET WEYNE, SOMALIA

SHORTLIST.

1. Wide shot of Iqra Ali Omar leaving her house.

2. Wide shot of Iqra Ali Omar getting out of her house gate.
3. SOUNDBITE: IQRA ALI OMAR - SOMALI YOUTH.
I enrolled in school but dropped out after the third year
due to lack of fees. Later, I got a low paying job that
enabled me to go back to school and cover my tuition
until I reached form three. In my last year of learning in
secondary school, I lost my job hence could not pay my
fees. However, my teachers helped me to complete my
studies.

4. Wide shot (tilting down from the sky) of Hiiraan University building.
5. Close up shot of Hiiraan University signpost.
6. SOUNDBITE: IQRA ALI OMAR - SOMALI YOUTH.
After completing my high school education, I found it
difficult to get my secondary school leaving certificate
[due to fees arrears]. Fortunately, I was enrolled at the
University without the certificate after I produced my
school admission number. Then I had another challenge;
I could not pay college fees and the cost of the hand-
outs. Towards the end of my first semester in university,
I got a new job and was able to resume my studies. Now
my situation is okay.

7. Wide shot of Iqra Ali Omar in the office seated behind her desk.
8. Medium shot of Iqra Ali Omar in the office seated behind her desk.
9. Close up shot tilting down to show Iqra Ali Omar her writing on a
paper.
10. Medium shot of Iqra Ali Omar in the office seated behind her
desk.
11. Close up shot tilting up to Iqra Ali Omars hands on her
phone.
12. SOUNDBITE: IQRA ALI OMAR - SOMALI YOUTH.
I now work for Belet Weyne local government as a
cashier, I am very happy with my life; as I recovered
from the hardship situation I went through, even though
I have a long way to go. I would like to advise young
girls like me who might be facing similar challenges -
especially those who do not live with their parents; I
encourage them to be focused and resilient and they will
survive the hardship.

STORY: Iqras triumph in the face of adversity gives hope to

Somali youth

Belet Weyne, 14 May 2017 - After the collapse of Somalias central

government in 1991, the role of the Ministry of Education was taken over by
private institutions, which enrolled and provided education to children of
school going age at a cost. Children whose parents could not afford to pay the
tuition fees stayed home with no access to education facilities. Nineteen-year-
old Iqra Ali Omar was one of them.

Iqra dropped out of school due to financial problems. From a tender age, she
lived with relatives, after her parents divorced. Were it not for her resilient
spirit, Iqras fate would have been like that of many other young Somali girls,
who are often forced into early marriages by their impoverished families.

I lived with relatives because my mother was not with me all the time, Iqra
explains. She used to transport goods between Belet Weyne and Hargeisa.

Iqra was eager to get an education, and started her primary education in
Hargeisa and later enrolled in a school in the capital Mogadishu, then moved
to Belet Weyne. But her enrolment in school was short-lived.

I enrolled in school but had to drop out after the third year because I couldnt
pay the fees. Later, I got a low paying job that enabled me to go back to
school and cover my tuition, until I reached form three, Iqra explains.

In my last year of learning in secondary school, I lost my job and could not
pay my fees anymore. However, my teachers helped me to complete my
studies, she added.

Paying tuition fees remained a challenge, even at university. Towards the end
of my first semester in university, I got a new job. Now my situation is more
stable, she states.
The second year student in Business Administration at Hiiraan University is
now employed as a cashier with the Belet Weyne local authorities. In Somalia,
68% of youth between 15 to 35 years old have not completed any level of
education, according to data from the United Nations Population Fund.
However, due to her will and initiative, Iqra aspires to be among the 3% of
Somalis who obtain a university degree in the country.

I recovered from the hardship situation I went through, even though I still
have a long way to go, Iqra admits. I would like to encourage young girls like
me who might be facing similar challenges - especially those who do not live
with their parents - to be focused and resilient and they will overcome the
hardship.

The UN recognizes youths as important partners and not passive

beneficiaries of the organizations initiatives.

END