Dr. Susan Young got to know about Hargeisa and Somaliland through friends in Bristol and she became interested in trying to help improve the situation of the Somaliland people.
Dr.
Susie Young
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
The
rows of listening students, the laptop and power point slides, may have been
the familiar pattern of my last 20 years of life as a university
lecturer. But partway through explaining some finer points of theory
I was surprised by the amplified sound of a child’s voice coming from a nearby
house reciting verses from the Koran. I’d grown used to the cockerel
who crowed regularly outside the window, but this new voice was a sure reminder
that Hargeisa University in Somaliland is a far cry from my Universities in
England. Here I was, then, in the warmth of January sunshine and
Hargeisa hospitality, offering my services to the University School of Social
Work as a volunteer lecturer.
The
university, by comparison with a university campus in Europe or North America,
is small and occupies a group of buildings that were a former Teacher Training
College. The first time I walked through the campus against a drift
of students, I drew curious and very friendly attention. ‘Hi, how
are you?’ many of them ask. Students have learnt English in
secondary school and all the courses are taught in English.
The
resources are, to be honest, minimal and students attend on a shift basis in
order to reduce pressure on a limited number of rooms. A small
corrugated iron shack offers refreshments – for men and women in separate sides
– and lecturers take their break sitting outside on plastic chairs in the
sunshine. No hardship for a sun-starved Brit. The library
has quite a number of books, but lacks the most up-to-date texts and students
have no access to online journals. But despite these limitations, the
university has a healthy number of students studying a wide range of
subjects. The students value their opportunity for education.
The
school of social work, with which I was working, is in its second year with two
cohorts of over 60 students, a committed group of staff, including lecturers
and administrators. It has a strong sense of mission and
ethos, instilled by the lecturers and dean. The students know that
they are breaking new ground and are convinced of the value and the importance
of their future role in improving the lives and the situation of the people in
their country. Perhaps as a consequence of the recent disasters
befalling their country, Somalis from politicians down to the hotel waiters I
talked with are determined that their country should get back on its feet and
succeed.
My
visit of just over 2 weeks may have been little time to contribute greatly to
the students’ education, but there are many ways that I intend to continue to
support the school through my activities back home. By acting in an
ambassadorial role I hope to convince others that visiting Hargeisa University
as a volunteer teacher is 100% safe and a very enjoyable and highly rewarding
thing to do. I walked alone around the town without any risk and
everyone was very friendly and helpful. I
have so many ‘best memories’ that it is difficult to single one out – the
smiles, the gifts, the kind words - but perhaps I remember most the female
student who, hands visibly trembling, willed herself to speak out loud to the
class. Women students, long schooled in deference and modesty, find
speaking out in a mixed class a very difficult challenge. Students
and staff at Hargeisa University – yes, thank you, you all made it so
completely worthwhile to travel so far.
Dr. Susie
Young - Retired Professor from University of Exeter, UK. Second PhD
Candidate at Bristol University
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