Dear Mr Osborne… Last minute Budget letters from Ethiopia

At the last count, 1017 people had written to the Chancellor urging him to make sure that the UK keeps its promises on international aid spending when he announces the budget on 20 March.

The figure has now risen to 1,020 with  three letters that have reached him all the way from Ethiopia’s Somali region.  Only 51% of children in the region enrol in school, compared to the national average of 82%. Save the Children, in partnership with government, has piloted a mobile library using camels to carry the books from school to school.

If you want to read how international aid makes a difference to children’s lives, read on…

Dear Mr Osborne

My name is Abubeker Mohamed Jemal and I am in grade four at Mulu Elementary School.

Before Save the Children came to our school we faced a lot of challenges. Now that they have helped in Majo village we have access to schools which we otherwise wouldn’t have because we are poor.

International aid is playing a big role in improving education for children. I am hopeful that you will help children like us who live in remote areas by giving us the chance to continue learning in the future.

I hope that this letter will convince you to keep your promises to continue supporting us.

Thank you

Abubeker, 9

Dear Mr Osborne,

My name is Halimo Ahmed. I am in grade four at Mulu elementary school. I am glad to inform you about the things that international aid has done for us, particularly offering books and school uniforms to orphaned children.

International aid has done a lot of positive things. For example it has helped the Children to establish schools at Majo and Tilytit.

I am very interested in learning and I enjoy reading fiction books. After finishing school I want to be a doctor.

I hope that this helps you decide whether the UK will keep its promises on aid.

Thank you

Halimo Ahmed, 15

Dear Mr Osborne

My name is Enab Mohamed. I am in grade four at Mulu elementary school. Save the Children has supported us to continue our education. Through international aid they have offered us school materials like books, uniforms and story books prepared in the local Somali language. I most like to read the book titled ‘Shidel’ as I found it easy to understand.

International aid builds schools and improves hygiene and sanitation in schools. When I finish school I want to be engineer.

I hope that this helps you to decide whether the UK will keep its promises on aid.

Thank you

Enab Mohamed, 14