Makhtoum Abdalla: Education is a fundamental right for every child | TED

TL;DR

Meet Makhtoum Abdalla from Otash IDP camp in Sudan, who shares his remarkable journey of resilience, hope, and determination to make the world a better place through the power of education.

Transcript

Transcriber: Hello, I am Makhtoum Abdalla from Sudan, born in 2004, in Nyala, South Darfur. And on the map, the western part of Sudan is where you find Darfur. For over a decade, the state was affected [by] conflict, which we were still reeling from. And as a result, since I was four years old, my family have lived in a camp for internally displac... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 The ongoing conflict in Darfur has resulted in the displacement of many families, forcing them to live in IDP camps like Otash camp, which is home to almost 100,000 people from different villages in Sudan.
• 💔 The journey to the IDP camp was dangerous, with some families losing their lives while trying to escape. The lack of resources along the way, such as food and water, led to the death of Makhtoum's baby brother due to malnutrition.
• 📚 Education is seen as a powerful tool for change and empowerment. Makhtoum dreams of studying nutrition and medicine to prevent others from suffering the same fate as his brother. He believes that education is a basic right for every child, regardless of their circumstances.
• 💡 Despite the challenges, Makhtoum's determination to receive an education is unwavering. He has learned three languages and intends to pursue higher education, step by step, to reach his ultimate goal of attending Columbia University.
• ✊ Makhtoum has become a Youth Advocate for UNICEF Sudan, championing the rights of children to access quality education. He emphasizes the importance of peace and education and inspires other youth in the camp to fight for their right to education as well.
• 🌍 Makhtoum's visit to the capital, Khartoum, allowed him to connect with other passionate and determined youth from different parts of Sudan. They all shared the same plight and desires for peace, fair treatment, and access to opportunities.
• ⚖️ The visit also highlighted the unfairness and inequalities in the world. Makhtoum reflected on the stark contrast between his struggles in the camp, such as studying with flashlights due to a lack of electricity, and the privileges he experienced in the hotel room with electricity and AC.
• 💡 Makhtoum recognizes that education, just like electricity, should be a necessity and a right for all children. He believes that providing skills, power, and knowledge to children worldwide will make a significant difference in their lives and in the world, fulfilling their big dreams and creating a better future.

Questions & Answers

Q: Where is Otash IDP camp located?

Otash IDP camp is located in South Darfur, which is in the western part of Sudan.

Q: Why was Makhtoum's family displaced?

Makhtoum's family was displaced due to conflict in their home village of Otash, which is in South Darfur.

Q: What happened during the journey to the IDP camp?

During the two-day journey to the Otash IDP camp, Makhtoum's family had nothing to eat and only a little water. Unfortunately, Makhtoum's baby brother died from malnutrition.

Q: What is Makhtoum's motivation for studying nutrition and medicine?

Makhtoum's motivation for studying nutrition and medicine is to help others and find ways to prevent the tragedy that happened to his baby brother. He believes that in a world with so much prosperity, no one should die of hunger.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Makhtoum Abdalla is a young Sudanese boy who was born and raised in an IDP camp in South Darfur due to conflict.

• Despite the challenges he and his family face, Makhtoum is determined to study nutrition and medicine to help others and prevent deaths from malnutrition.

• Makhtoum believes that education is a basic right for every child and is advocating for access to quality education for all children, regardless of their background or circumstances.