The Chinese Embassy in the East African nation has helped refurbish an orphanage centre that also acts as a school for more than 200 schoolgirls.
China’s Ambassador to Somalia, Qin Jian visited an orphanage centre in Boondhere district of Mogadishu to oversee one of Beijing’s development projects in the capital.
These projects include a new library and a conference centre – costing close to $40,000.
“Yesterday, you heard our cry, Mr. Ambassador, and came to our rescue,” School Principal, Nurto Mohamed Adow, said in an address to the Chinese Ambassador, Qin Jian.
“You have assisted us in a way in one has ever assisted us. Today we have invited you here to thank you and welcome you to our school that you’ve improved its image.”
The centre is a sanctuary for more than 200-orphaned schoolgirls – most of them lost their parents as a result of conflict and instability experienced in the capital.
But the Chinese Ambassador, now in the country for close to a year, says he’s noted remarkable progress in the past months.
“Somalia is a beautiful country with a bright future. I see Somalia making progress in the future in terms of peace, prosperity and development and its you, the children, who are the future of this country,” Qin Jian said.
This newly refurbished school is now a symbol of hope to more than 200 school going girls. It’s currently being supported by the China embassy in Somalia as part of the China-Africa cooperation program that also seeks to change and improve the education system here in the country.
For decades now Somalia has experienced a number of emergencies and have put extra pressure on both the government and partners to provide basic services to citizens, including education services, which are already extremely constrained.
But Beijing has lived up to its obligation and continues to offer young Somalis a bright future.
A batch of students are currently in China after it was awarded advanced learning opportunities by the Chinese government to study in universities in China.
“This year the Chinese government provided 50 students from Somalia and are now studying in China. I hope when you all grow up you can go to china for scholarship that will be provided by the Chinese government,” Qin Jian said.
Somalia is among the countries set to benefit in the One Belt One Road Initiative announced in 2013 by President Xi Jinping.
China-Somalia ties stretch back many years ago, and one of the biggest referral hospitals and the biggest stadiums in the country were built by Chinese engineers.
China was also one of the first world countries to normalise ties with Mogadishu, and has offered to help rebuild Somalia as it seeks to return back to its lost glory.
