Ismail Nabil Al-Shaigy

Ismail Nabil Al-Shaigy is seven years old and until recently, has been one of many thousands of children out of school in the Blue Nile state. The challenges in the blue Nile state are like those in many areas of Sudan - poor infrastructure, displacement due to recent conflict, ongoing instability, and inadequate investment in education. Sadly, this means that an estimated 19,000 school-age children have been out of school.

Children like Ismael, who have physical or learning disabilities, are in even harder situations. Ismael is unable to walk and for a time his family was paying 500 Sudanese pounds each day to rent a wheelbarrow to bring him to school. When that became unaffordable, Ismael simply stopped going to school.

Thankfully, with funding through the Sudan Humanitarian Fund, LM International was able to include targeted support for education in its work in Blue Nile state in 2023. This included classrooms rehabilitation, training for parent-teacher associations, provision of school supplies, and wheelchairs for children with special needs.

The classroom rehabilitation included the construction of ramps so that students in wheelchairs can easily access the classroom. With the rehabilitation and a wheelchair, Ismael is now able to get himself to school and develop to his fullest potential. Not only that, but it is also easier for him to go outside to play with his friends or cheer on his favourite football team!