Darfur's hopeful 12-year-olds

Darfur's hopeful 12-year-olds

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The conflict that erupted in Sudan's western Darfur region 12 years ago shows no sign of ending but it has not discouraged displaced youngsters who have lived up to their entire lives in refugee camps from dreaming big.

Among the children in the camps, twelve 12-year olds are optimistic, despite ongoing instability the a vast territory, roughly the size of France.

In the future Mohamed Ali Ishag says he wants to be an aircraft engineer.

. Nyala, SUDAN. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Khadieja Omer Mohamed, a 4th grader at Sudan Aid School at the Dereige camp for internally displaced in Nyala in South Darfur, has set her sights on becoming a doctor in her adulthood.

. El-Fasher, SUDAN. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Manasik Yousif Abdo-Rahman - standing in shade created by rugs hanging on trees - was born in the Alsalam camps in El-Fasher in North Darfur.

She hopes to become an electrical engineer one day.

. El-Fasher, SUDAN. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Abeer Abdallah Yonis, posing in front of a rickety gate and mud wall in El-Fasher, wants to be a teacher.

. El-Fasher, SUDAN. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

The Darfur conflict began in 2003 when mainly non-Arab tribes took up arms against the Arab-led government in Khartoum, accusing it of discrimination.

The mass killings of a decade ago have eased, but the insurgency continues and Khartoum has kept up attacks on rebel groups, leaving many living in limbo in harsh conditions.

Khartoum mobilised proxy Arab militia to help quell the revolt in a region where many live in houses made of straw and grass. Some militiamen, known locally as Janjaweed, pillaged and burned villages and killed civilians. The government has called the Janjaweed outlaws and denied supporting them.

. Nyala, SUDAN. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Almost half a million people were displaced last year alone, the highest annual total since the height of the conflict in 2004, U.N. figures show.

According to the U.N., about 4.4 million people need humanitarian assistance in Darfur and more than 2.5 million remain displaced.

But 12 years on, the 12-year olds who have known little else seem remarkably focused on a better future.

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Slideshow

Kareema Abdallah Adam, 12, a 4th grader at the Ardamata camp for the internally displaced people, wants to be a doctor when she grows up.
. El-Geneina, SUDAN. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Kareema Abdallah Adam, 12, a 4th grader at the Ardamata camp for the internally displaced people, wants to be a doctor when she grows up.

Tahani Abdallah Omer, 12, a 5th grader at Alsalam 2 School for Girls at Aboshok camp for the Internally displaced people, wants to be a doctor, or  a teacher like her aunt.
. El-Fasher, SUDAN. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Tahani Abdallah Omer, 12, a 5th grader at Alsalam 2 School for Girls at Aboshok camp for the Internally displaced people, wants to be a doctor, or a teacher like her aunt.

Mozdalifa Abaker Omer, 12, a 5th grader at the Alsalam 2 School for Girls at Aboshok camps for internally displaced people, wants to be a doctor.
. El-Fasher, SUDAN. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Mozdalifa Abaker Omer, 12, a 5th grader at the Alsalam 2 School for Girls at Aboshok camps for internally displaced people, wants to be a doctor.

Mona Abdallah Fath Al- Jaleel, 12, a 5th grader at the Kalma camp for internally displaced people, wants to be a doctor.
. Nyala, SUDAN. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Mona Abdallah Fath Al- Jaleel, 12, a 5th grader at the Kalma camp for internally displaced people, wants to be a doctor.

Mazin Hassan Mohamed, 12, wants to run his own company.
. Darfur, Sudan. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Mazin Hassan Mohamed, 12, wants to run his own company.

Yousif Abdu Al Rahman, 12, wants to be an engineer or a journalist.
. Darfur, Sudan. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Yousif Abdu Al Rahman, 12, wants to be an engineer or a journalist.

Nidaa Abdallah, 12, wishes to be an engineer when she grows up.
. Darfur, Sudan. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Nidaa Abdallah, 12, wishes to be an engineer when she grows up.

Nohaa Abdo El-Kareem Al-zain, 12, a 4th grader at the Dereige camp for internally displaced people, wants to be a doctor.
. Nyala, SUDAN. Reuters/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah

Nohaa Abdo El-Kareem Al-zain, 12, a 4th grader at the Dereige camp for internally displaced people, wants to be a doctor.