East African Research and Development | East African Research and Development | Jacfar Primary and Secondary School

Jacfar primary and secondary school was first opened by a group of volunteers who, after their graduation, wanted to do something positive for their community. The group opened the school in November 2009, and actively went door-to-door to recruit pupils from the area. Since then, teachers worked as volunteers. The school enrolled 82 pupils between years 1 to 8.

Since the vast majority of pupils could not afford to pay school fees, the school has become unsustainable due to financial difficulties. Thus, the pricipal left the school to work in the private sector. However, the principal met EARAD coordinator, who was planning to establish a new school near the area. After hearing the short history of the school, the coordinator asked to meet some of the parents, and was struck by the personal stories of parents whose children attended the school. As a result, EARAD decided to rehabilitate the school and expanded its capacity to upto 400 pupils, provided electric supply to the school, one office computer, a printer, a photocoppier and office furniture.

Similarly, EARAD sponsored the principal's wage similar to the private sector so that he runs the day-to-day affairs of the school. Currently, the school plans to utilise its newly found capacity of 400 pupils from parents who cannot afford high fees of privately owned schools. EARAD thanks all its supporters who made this mission possible. Because of that, hundreds of pupils are in school learning such subjects as maths, science, geography, history, English, Somali, Arabic, etcetera; rather than been recruited by warring groups.

Following are some of the photos taken during the re-opening ceremony of the school after EARAD's sponsorship. The ceremony has taken place in Plasma University, since authorities in the school's district do not permit mixed gender gathering.

EARAD coordinator speaking to students and parents jacfar-1