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In 2000 the village of Komsomolskaya in Chechnya in the Russian Federation came under attack. The village was devastated and nearly all the villagers fled. The old school was reduced to rubble and when people began to return, the children found they had nowhere to study.

In September 2007, Islamic Relief finished the construction of a new school in Komsomolskaya, funded by the Islamic Development Bank. The opening ceremony was a time of celebration for the whole village.

Wasim Bahja, Islamic Relief's Regional Program Officer in Chechnya saw the process from the planning stages through to opening the doors to the first students. He explains why this school was desperately needed.

Shortages, overcrowding and ill-health

"Many Chechens who have been displaced by fighting are now looking to return to their home villages. However, they face many challenges. One of the greatest is the lack of education services for their children.

"460 schools have been destroyed or seriously damaged since the start of the conflict, and only around half have been rebuilt. This shortage of schools means that many children do not have a regular education. It also means there is severe overcrowding and it is not uncommon for students to be taught in corridors or kitchens.

"Most of the schools operating in Chechnya are housed in temporary or unfinished buildings. These schools lack basic health and safety measures, safe playgrounds, electricity and central heating. In a region where temperatures can dip below minus 20 degrees in winter, this is a major problem. Parents that Islamic Relief spoke to told us how their children regularly suffer from flu, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases as a result of the conditions at school."

Returning home to Komsomolskaya

"Before the conflict, Komsomolskaya was home to 8,000 people, however, after it was attacked, most left. Some are still reluctant to return because of the lack of education facilities.

"The original school in Komsomolskaya was built in 1957 and served the host community as well as many other nearby villages. However, it was completely destroyed in the conflict and was only fit to house animals.

"The village had been provided with temporary classrooms next to the original school but these were very overcrowded and unhygienic. The classrooms had no electricity or heating, and were unsuitable for children with disabilities."

Involving the community

"Before work on the new school began, Islamic Relief staff visited the site of the old school, met with the children, teachers, the headmistress, local authorities and representatives of the local community.

"The community was committed to the project and active in the process from the beginning. Many local men and women worked or volunteered in constructing the school. The project even gave some women who had lost their husbands in the war the opportunity to earn some money. The children were very excited and visited the site every day to watch the progress of the building."

New term, new school

"The school opened on September 1, 2007, in time for the first day of the new school year. The school consists of twelve classrooms, a library, offices, and water and sanitation facilities, and is now providing 640 students with high quality education.

The new school has its own recreational facilities where children can play games, and also a canteen which provides the pupils with healthy meals.

"The new school has not only improved the quality of education for local children but has also encouraged displaced families to return home. Since the construction of the school began, over 80 families have returned to the village, with more expected to return in the next few months."

Community impact

Batukaeva Zina, headmistress of Komsomolskaya Village School has worked as a teacher in the village since 1971. She explains the problems the children faced after the destruction of the original school and what the new school means for the whole village.

"In March 2000 our village was completely destroyed by fighting. Villagers were forced to make a camp in the melting spring snow on the edge of the village. Hungry children were crying in the cold and some pregnant women were forced to give birth in the camp.

"During that time the village school was ruined. But as people slowly returned home, some of the locals asked me if I would organize schooling for their children. Together with some other teachers we vowed to fulfill this task. In the remnants of the village hospital, with blankets for windows and a few bits of furniture, we welcomed 79 students back to school."

"Gradually we replaced the blankets with film, put in new doors and installed small stoves to warm the rooms in the cold season. The school stayed in this building for three years.

"In September 2003 we moved to a temporary school. The school was able to accommodate 180 children, but 230 children came every day. The rooms were cramped and there was no fresh air.

"When Islamic Relief began to construct a new school, I spent the whole summer holidays at the center of the construction process. The builders consulted me about the design and structure of the school, and we tried to keep the new school like the original one. I was pleased that the builders were interested in my opinion and considered my recommendations."

"The reconstruction of the school has had a positive influence on the life of the whole village. People are now more optimistic and enthusiastic and the school has encouraged more people to return to the village. This is because all parents want the best conditions for their children and our school is now one of the most modern and beautiful in the whole of Chechnya."