‘For the first time I attended school every day’

Today, on International Day of the Girl, Trócaire celebrates the courage and resilience of girls like Ilhan in Somalia. Ilhan’s story is one of hope, and it reminds us of the transformative power of philanthropic support in shaping the futures of the communities we work with.

15-year-old Ilhan attends school in the Luuq district of Somalia. She is the 7th born in a family of 10. Climate change, a crisis that Somalia has contributed the least to, has made life for Ilhan’s family unbearably difficult. They left the Bakool region seven years ago when repeated droughts and failed harvests led to widespread food insecurity and suffering. Bakool was once known as the country’s breadbasket, but its rain-fed farms couldn’t survive the droughts, forcing thousands of families like Ilhan’s to move to survive.

Like many girls, Ilhan often missed school to help care for her younger siblings. “My parents work tirelessly to afford food for us. Despite their efforts, there were many times when we would sleep hungry” she shared. Although Ilhan has already experienced many challenges in her young life, she dreams of becoming a schoolteacher and a role model for young girls in her village. Thanks to the generous philanthropic support of the O’Flynn Group, Ilhan’s dream has begun to take shape. Support from Ireland allowed Trócaire to establish a school feeding programme in Ilhan’s community, ensuring that children like her receive a nutritious meal every day.

For Ilhan and her brothers, the promise of a hot mug of porridge at school each morning became a lifeline. “The porridge meal support from Trócaire came like a blessing,” Ilan says.“ “Three of us – myself and my two brothers, went back to school not only to seek knowledge but also to have that hot mug of porridge provided by the school every day at 10 am. This daily meal also relieved my parents worries about our well-being during the day.”

As we mark International Day of the Girl, we are reminded of the vital role that philanthropic support plays in making these dreams a reality. Ilhan’s story is just one example of how collective efforts can change the trajectory of a young girl’s life.

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Michael O'Flynn, speaking on behalf of the O'Flynn Group , noted: “Somalia is one of the countries in the world most impacted by climate change, a problem they are least responsible for creating. As we approach our ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) strategies we need to include a global focus, for girls like Ilhan. We are delighted to support this programme”.

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