Before conflict forced her to flee Sudan, 13-year-old Tahane’s life revolved around school, family and friends.
“When my family was together, we used to go to school and come back to play with our friends in the street,” she recalls. “Those were the most beautiful days of my life.”
Everything changed in 2023 when war reached her community. Tahane’s father was killed during the conflict, and she was forced to flee with her family to neighbouring Chad.
Today, Tahane lives in Aboutengue refugee camp in eastern Chad with her grandmother and uncle. Like thousands of other Sudanese refugees, she arrived with nothing.
“It was so hard for us,” she says. “We were sitting on the bare ground with no beds and no blankets, nothing to cover ourselves with.”
Despite the challenges she faces, Tahane remains determined to continue her education. She attends school in the camp and particularly enjoys learning English and French.
She also spends time at a child-friendly space supported by Plan International and its partners, where she plays volleyball, teaches younger children songs and dances, and enjoys spending time with friends.
“The children’s space is safe and friendly,” she says. “It makes me happy.”
However, life in the camp remains difficult. Food is often scarce, hygiene supplies are limited, and many girls face increasing risks of child marriage and dropping out of school.
“Many girls are losing their futures because of these circumstances here,” Tahane explains. “They end up getting married and don’t get to study.”
Determined not to let her own dreams slip away, Tahane hopes to become a doctor and one day open a clinic or centre for people with disabilities.
Her message to other girls is simple but powerful:
“A girl should not lose her future. She should achieve her dreams and goals and not look back.”
As the conflict in Sudan approaches its fourth year, millions of children continue to face displacement, uncertainty and disruption to their education. Yet girls like Tahane remind us that even in the most difficult circumstances, hope endures.
“We want people to hear us,” she says. “We need many things. We just want people to stand by us.”
Your generosity saves lives. Your support changes futures.
From working to end child marriage to keeping kids in school during crises, together we can make a difference where it’s needed most.
