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You're watching UNICEF Television.

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Like other young women in her community, Fatuma's day begins with housework.

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But Fatuma is no ordinary girl.

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She is the first from her village to reach the final year of secondary school.

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Studying for her final exams, Fatuma also hopes to be the first girl to graduate from

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this school in Tijura.

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A startling achievement in Djibouti where only one in five girls enrolls in secondary

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school and only 33% of all children attend primary school.

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Fatuma's village is in one of the poorest regions, with even lower rates of schooling.

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But programmes like UNICEF's School Bags support government efforts to boost numbers by providing

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the poorest pupils like Fatuma with books and supplies.

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Education is very important to me, for getting a job and because it is the only way to become

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someone in society.

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A person who can't read is very different to someone with an education, aren't they?

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Therefore, one must be educated with good qualification in order to go far and get a

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good job.

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Fatuma's father died in conflict 16 years ago.

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As the oldest child, she works hard alongside her mother to care for six siblings at home.

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Her mother's support and refusal to let Fatuma marry has been vital in keeping Fatuma in

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school.

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Most girls here are married young and miss out on the chance to help their families begin

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the climb out of poverty.

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I hope that I will succeed this year and I also hope to have the opportunity to continue

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my studies for two years so I can get a higher degree and get a job to help my family which

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needs me.

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Fatuma's dream is to become a teacher, to inspire and help other girls in her village

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fight for their rights and follow the path she is blazing before them.

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This is Rachel Bonham Carter reporting for UNICEF Television.

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Unite for Children.