HiCEP
The Hiran Community Education Project
UK registered charity 1099699
About HiCEP
HiCEP is a UK based charity which operates a library and school in the Hiran region of Southern Somalia. It was founded in 1998 by Daud Hassan Ali along with friends and family as the Beled-Weyne Library project. Daud devoted his life to education and bringing it to his home town. His lifelong dream was to open a school there which he achieved in 2005.
On 14 April 2008 the school was attacked and Daud was killed alongside his fellow teachers Rehana, Andrew and Gilford. We, his friends and family are dedicated to continuing the project with the help of HiCEP supporters who all contribute their time, money and effort to keep the project going. Here is a film of Daud talking about his life, the library and the school. It was made for the memorial service held for the teachers on 7 June 2008.
The Future
In the months following the attack the HiCEP staff here and in Somalia together managed to get two of the classroom assistants who helped Daud run the school enrolled on a teacher training course at Amoud University in Boroma, Northern Somalia. Approximately £1,800 will cover all fees, food, accommodation and out of pocket expenses for a student for a year of training. The School will re-open when the security situation permits and the locally trained staff become available next year.
We are now raising enough money to sponsor two more students to attend Amoud University. What we need are donors willing to make a small monthly contribution to HiCEP’s work so we have enough income to train new staff.
Donate
Every penny you can give will be greatly valued. Your donation will be used in its entirety in Somalia to advance the work. None of it will be spent in the UK on administrative costs. This is possible because all work in the UK is carried out by unpaid volunteers. To make a donation please use this button:
Contact
For information on how to become a regular donor please contact HiCEP Secretary Margaret Ali: margaret@hicep.org.uk
Scroll down to read more about HiCEP.
Hiran Public Library
The first ever Public Library in Hiran was opened, in rented premises, in 1999 as a result of the efforts of a Support Group which had been established in Birmingham, UK in 1998.
The books in the Library are mostly second hand. The first consignment was sent in November 1998. More went in February 2000 and in 2004. The latter included six second hand computers. On each occasion Save the Children Fund provided vital logistical support.
The building went up in the autumn of 2000. It was built on land given by local leaders who were eager to see the Public Library move to purpose built premises. It cost £6000. This money had been raised by the UK based Support Group. In November 2006 the veranda was damaged when the River Shebelle burst its banks and floodwater engulfed 90% of the town. Repairs have recently been carried out and the front has been re-decorated with very pleasing results.
How the Library functions. It is open six days of the week. It is staffed by a Library Manager and an assistant librarian with special expertise in IT. A cleaner and a night watchman are also employed. The Library provides a very popular amenity. It used by many Beled-Weyne residents, including school students as well as visitors from other neighbouring towns of Somalia. As far as we know it is the only public library functioning in south central Somalia.
Money matters. It costs £300 per month to keep the Library functioning. This pays the wages of all staff and meets electricity costs. A little goes a long way in Africa!
The English School
The English School is in Beled-Weyne, Somalia. It was brought into existence as a practical step towards addressing the desperate need for good education in that war ravaged country. The School is locally governed and administered. It was delivering education conforming to the standards of the National Curriculum as used in England when its work was brought to an abrupt halt by the brutal murder of all four teachers on 14th April 2008. This was just a couple of weeks after construction of excellent purpose-built premises had been completed.
Daud Ali, founder and Head Teacher of the School, was one of the murder victims. Those who worked with him to advance the work during his lifetime have pledged themselves to do everything possible to build on the foundation he laid so that the vision he had will become a reality. This vision is to equip the community with cohorts of youngsters who have received a good education and acquired a thorough working knowledge of the English language since this is essential for individuals and communities who wish to become integrated into the global economy and to enjoy all the benefits which such integration brings.
Links
Reports of the attack:
Daud Hassan Ali obituary (Guardian)