The long journey to school

Every day many children walk long distances to go to school. Here is the story of one of them, who attends the preschool our sisters manage in the mission of Sadama, a village about 250 km southwest of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Maryam (not the real name) is four years old. Every morning she wakes up at dawn to get ready for school. Sadama is 5 km away, and the road is long. By 6.30 AM Maryam and other children from nearby communities are ready to start their journey.

During the first days of school, parents use to accompany children to school, but as soon as they get familiar with the route, children go by themselves, with elder children taking care of the younger ones.

The road is rough, with steep slopes and a bridge to cross; motorcycles and carts also run the road to get water at the water point, so children must be very careful and not get distracted to avoid falling or getting hurt.

The dirt road from Wenjela to Sadama

By 8:00 AM children reach Sadama to start their day in school.

At 12:00 PM, after learning, playing and having a nutritious meal, children are ready to go back home.

Maryam and her friends make their way home. The sun is high at noon, and it is very hot, so children often stop in the shade of trees or shield themselves with umbrellas. By now children are tired, so the road takes more time. By 3:00 PM Maryam is finally home.

Children coming back from School.