In the midst of Sudan’s civil war, 18-year-old twins Makarem and Ikram found themselves caught in the crossfire when their school in El-Obeid came under shelling attack. The incident, which left their English teacher and 13 classmates dead, and dozens more injured, is a stark reminder of the devastating impact the conflict has had on the country’s education system.
Makarem recounts the terrifying ordeal, describing how her shoulder was struck by shrapnel as she and her classmates scrambled for cover. “We took cover beside the wall and the girl who was standing in front of me put her hand on my shoulder and said: ‘Your shoulder is bleeding.'” In the chaos, the sisters were separated, with Ikram searching desperately for her twin, unaware that Makarem had already been taken to the hospital.
The shelling left Makarem with a small piece of shrapnel lodged in her head, which she says caused her excruciating pain and required extensive medical treatment. “It hurt very much and I had to take many painkillers,” she says.
Despite the trauma, Makarem and Ikram have shown remarkable resilience. Ikram, inspired by the memory of her slain English teacher, is now studying the language at university in El-Obeid. Makarem, who was unable to secure the necessary score to study medicine, is determined to repeat her final year of secondary school to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.
“I believe that I will be able to achieve the score I am aiming for,” Makarem says, her voice brimming with hope. “I am hopeful for the future.”
The twins’ story is a testament to the unwavering spirit of Sudan’s youth, who refuse to be defeated by the ravages of war. As the country’s civil conflict rages on, leaving an estimated 13 million school-age children out of the education system, their determination to continue their studies in the face of such adversity is truly inspiring.
The situation in El-Obeid remains challenging, with dozens of schools converted into shelters for those displaced by the war. Yet, even as the city grapples with the consequences of the conflict, the students at the Abu Sitta school, including Makarem and Ikram, are finding ways to move forward, driven by a desire to honour the memory of those they lost and build a brighter future for themselves and their country.
