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On International Women’s Day, UNICEF celebrates the courage and resilience of women like Hana, who, despite immense challenges, continue to build brighter futures for their children and communities.
Hana, a 30-year-old mother of four, left her home in Sudan, seeking safety for her children. The journey to Libya was long and difficult, and when they arrived in Sebha, they faced many hardships—finding shelter, food, and clean water was a daily struggle.
Through other families in the community, Hana heard about the Baity Center, run by INTERSOS with support from UNICEF. The center offered a safe space for her children to play and learn, while also providing essential services to families like hers.
During her first visit, Hana spoke with the team about the challenges she had faced. “They listened with kindness and assured me that I was not alone,” she recalled. With time, she and her children received the support they needed.
Psychological counseling sessions helped Hana understand and manage stress. She learned to recognize signs of emotional strain—like exhaustion, headaches, and anxiety— and developed coping strategies. As her mental well-being improved, she saw a positive change in her children’s happiness and behavior.
Hana also joined positive parenting sessions at the center, where she learned new ways to communicate with her children and manage daily stress. “I learned how to express love and patience with my children in a better way,” she shared. Even while expecting another baby, she remained committed to these sessions, knowing they were vital for her family's future.
But perhaps the greatest gift was the sisterhood she found. Through weekly gatherings with other mothers, Hana found a sense of belonging. “These meetings became our safe space,” she said. “We laughed, we shared, and we healed together.” The connections she built reminded her that she was not alone in her journey.
With time, Hana’s confidence grew. Her home, once filled with uncertainty, became a place of warmth and hope again. “The support we received at Baity Center changed our lives. My children and I have learned to manage our emotions, and our family is stronger than before.”
Hana’s children also benefited from the center’s non-formal education programs, which provided them with structured learning opportunities, play-based activities, and psychosocial support. The sessions helped them regain a sense of routine and stability, allowing them to develop essential skills in a nurturing environment. “Seeing my children excited to learn again brought me so much relief,” Hana said. “They are happier, more confident, and feel a sense of normalcy despite everything we have been through.”
Baity Centers, supported by UNICEF and its partners, provide critical services to families through education, child protection, and health awareness. With the help of donors, including Education Cannot Wait, the European Union, the Governments of Japan and the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, these centers continue to offer hope to families like Hana’s, ensuring that every child has the chance to learn and thrive.
*Names changed for privacy.