Several people, including Iyya, express deep concern about the future of the next generation: “We are worried that our children will not have a good life.” With the decline in natural resources, education is seen as essential for the future.
Yet he and Ibrahim both make it clear that drought and desertification have had a serious impact on education. Children are often malnourished and unable to concentrate; teacher turnover is high; and many families can’t afford essentials such as stationery.
Education beyond the primary level is out of the question for many as there are no local secondary schools and parents “can’t afford to rent houses in towns for the further education of their children either,” says Ibrahim. All the same, he is certain that “only education can bring about transformation”.