From Hatred to Empathy

“I was in my final year of undergraduate studies at the University of Maiduguri when the first attack by Boko Haram occurred in February 2009. As a result of the insurgency, we were unable to graduate in 2009, and instead, we graduated in 2010. Due to some remorse we had about the involvement of Almajiri boys in the insurgency, I developed a negative perception of them, seeing them as potential criminals. However, the Social Emotional Learning (SEL)  studies gave me the opportunity to interact with them, which changed my perspective. Since that experience, when I see Almajiri boys, I find myself reaching into my wallet to offer them something.

I became so interested in the Almajiri boys that I decided to focus my M.Sc. research in Environmental Epidemiology on them. I submitted my proposed topic titled “Assessment of Malaria Prevention, Treatment Strategies and Environmental Health Conditions among Almajiri Boys in Taraba State, Nigeria.” I am grateful to CHF for the opportunity to participate in the SEL project which influences my interest in the Almajiri boys and in qualitative research.”

Babylon Philemon (Ph.d)