The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXIII

EKRAM MOHAMMED
HAIFA AL-JABOBI AND ZAMZAM AL-MOAYAD, TEACHERS
Soudah School, Sana’a Governorate, Yemen
Courage is a beautiful trait that distinguishes people and helps them gain
acceptance in society. It also helps people stand with the truth and defend the
oppressed to ensure they receive their rights. I had an experience that I believe
is related to courage.
I study at Soudah School, where I have a dear friend who suffers from visual
impairment and cannot see anything. Despite this, she has determination to
continue her education. I made a decision to assist her and accompany her
when she walks to school, and also during crowded times when leaving the
school. She is a beautiful girl who constantly expresses gratitude towards me,
and I can sense her happiness when she arrives at school. I have gotten used
to leaving home early in the morning to meet her and go to school with her.
On the way, she tells me about her aspirations and her love for others. She
wishes to wake up one day and find herself able to see everything, but she
firmly believes that her illness is a wise decree from God for reasons only
He knows, and she is content with what God has assigned to her.
“COURAGE IS A
BEAUTIFUL TRAIT THAT
DISTINGUISHES PEOPLE
AND HELPS THEM
GAIN ACCEPTANCE
IN SOCIETY.”
that it wouldn’t happen again and felt relieved and happy that she accepted
their apology. After that incident, we all supported her, had conversations with
her, and encouraged her. I hope we remain together until we finish university.
On one particular day, as we were descending the school stairs during a
crowded moment with students from all grades, we were moving very slowly,
to the point where we caused even more congestion. I overheard some students
mocking my visually impaired friend in loud voices. I tried to speak to her
loudly so she wouldn’t hear what was being said about her, but she heard
everything. I felt saddened by her sadness, which was evident on her face.
I didn’t know what to do at that moment, as I was confused.
I decided to approach the students who had mocked my friend, and I asked
to sit with them. I addressed them about the harm they caused to my friend
through their bullying and about how they embarrassed her to the extent that
she was considering leaving the school. I told them that such behavior was
inappropriate towards their classmate. I asked them, “What if one of you had
the disability? How would you feel about what happened?” I also asked them
if they could guarantee that their health would remain as it is now, as
circumstances can change, and any one of them could experience what our
classmate has gone through. I told them that they should have respected and
appreciated her, and they should have helped and encouraged her. They
expressed deep regret and realized their mistake. They went to our classmate
to apologize and seek her forgiveness for what happened. They promised her
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND
VOLUME XXXIII
162 163