Anna Qabale Duba’s Educational Model in Marsabit: A Lifeline for Marginalized Families, and Proof of Local Resilience

In the remote village of Torbi, Marsabit County, Anna Qabale Duba, a celebrated nurse and the 2022 Aster Guardians Global Nursing Award winner, has implemented a pioneering educational model that uplifts both children and adults. Her initiative has become a beacon of hope, proving that with local determination and commitment, even the most underserved communities can sustain impactful educational and life-skills programs.

Duba’s model, managed through the Qabale Duba Foundation, centers on a community-run school that operates on a unique schedule: children attend classes in the mornings to build critical educational foundations, while adults—primarily parents and caregivers—attend afternoon sessions focused on literacy, health, and empowerment. Topics like maternal and child health, reproductive health, family resilience, and eradicating harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) are prioritized in these sessions, addressing immediate community needs and promoting transformative cultural shifts.

This October, the village celebrated a major milestone as 42 children and 20 women marked the completion of a school year at Torbi Pioneer Academy. Duba’s model stands as a testament to the power of indigenous resilience and locally-led solutions in addressing deep-rooted issues in health, education, and economic empowerment. Through her program, the people of Torbi are seeing the profound impacts of integrated education, with decreases in early marriages and FGM, and a notable increase in hospital deliveries and girls’ enrollment in school.

Duba’s journey from one classroom made of tin sheets accommodating only six children, to a full-fledged academy with over 350 students, demonstrates a remarkable trajectory of community-driven progress. With the funds from the Aster award and her previous Global Citizen Award, she acquired 40,000 square meters of community land, now home to a proper school with classes from grades one to eight. She has future plans to construct an adult literacy center, a health center, and a hostel for students, solidifying her long-term vision for holistic community development.

Duba, who was the first graduate from her village and a Mandela Washington Fellow, leveraged her education and influence to advocate for girls’ education and gender equality across Marsabit County. Her foundation not only supports schooling for children but also empowers adults to dismantle harmful cultural norms that hinder progress. As a mother of two, she remains a formidable advocate, not only transforming Torbi but also inspiring other regions to adopt similar models that bridge gaps in education, healthcare, and social justice.

Amid Marsabit’s harsh climate and recurring droughts, her initiative offers a glimmer of resilience for families who would otherwise migrate in search of sustenance, often at the cost of their children’s education. Thanks to champions like Anna Qabale Duba, communities in Marsabit can now envision a future where education and empowerment become foundational pillars of local resilience.

Anna Qabale Duba (right), founder of Torbi Pioneer Academy, poses with students. Her community school model in Marsabit empowers both children and adults through education and health training.