The most recent SOS project in the region is located in Sheikh, Somaliland, a self-declared independent state in the northwest of the country.

In 1957, the British administration constructed a boarding school for Somali boys with academic potential, who, it was hoped, would become the country’s leaders after independence. Indeed, amongst its early pupils was Mohamed Egal, who went on to become the second president of Somaliland. Over the last 25 years, during a period of civil war and political transition, the school was left to deteriorate. The SOS Regional Director for East Africa, Mr. Wilhelm Huber, visited the dilapidated school, (looted but structurally sound), and thus began the idea the idea of reopening it under the auspices of SOS Children’s Villages. In 1999, and agreement was signed and the project began. Renovation work began in February 2001 and Sheikh School reopened as the Hermann Gmeiner Sheikh Secondary School in January 2003 with 53 pupils. In four years time, the school will have reached its maximum of 200 students. All students are admitted after passing an entrance exam, although there are reserved places for local students and SOS Children Villages youth from Mogadishu. The students study for IGCSE exams (an internationally recognized British qualification) in the usual academic subjects, with the addition of Arabic and Islamic studies.

Reaching out to the community in Sheikh
Although the SOS Hermann Gmeiner Sheikh Secondary School in Somaliland has only been open since January this year, the staff is already assisting the local community with teaching support.
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