Jouman is among an estimated four million Sudanese children who have been displaced within the country and across borders – in the year since fighting erupted between the army and a paramilitary group.
She now lives in Egypt where she attends a school for refugees supported by Save the Children.
“The fighting was very hard. We never imagined fleeing Sudan. I arrived in Egypt in November [2023] with my grandparents. And my brother… He stayed in South Sudan. We first fled there, then we came to Egypt. I now live with my mother. Today I came to school, I studied, and that’s it. I want to become a doctor to help people and treat those who need it. “
Although she enjoys studying with her friend, she remembers the happy days spent at home in Sudan with her family.
“I had a great time in Sudan. I had my brother and some freedom. But here I only stay at home. We can only hope for God’s help… When I am When I arrived in Egypt, I faced many challenges. I didn’t think I would go to school. We need books. We have difficulty finding a house because the rent is expensive. We lots of needs.”
But despite the difficulties, she is one of the lucky ones. Millions of children in Sudan were unable to go to school last year, do not have enough food and thousands are at risk of dying from diseases.
“The school welcomes refugee children from Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya explains this teacher. This is my fourth year in Egypt and my third year in my job. We see the impact of conflicts on children. Some children become violent because of the violence they have seen. Others are extremely quiet or cannot concentrate. Still others are very sensitive and cry over nothing. These are the different impacts of conflict and displacement.”
According to Save the Children, one in two children in Sudan have been exposed to shooting, bombings, airstrikes and other violence in the past year.
A situation that no child should have to endure.
