The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXIII

MOHAMMED HANI
ELHAM AL-ASH-HAB, TEACHER
Al-Qairawan School, Sana’a Governorate, Yemen
I study at Al-Qairawan School in Sana’a. I have good friends and classmates
there, and I love playing football with them.
My family is going through difficult circumstances, like all Yemeni families after
the war and the siege. Our economic situation is deteriorating, and we can
barely afford our needs for living. I felt that my hands were tied and couldn’t do
anything to change our situation, so I constantly thought about a business that
could help us deal with our daily and educational expenses without affecting
my studies.
I came up with an idea that suited the area where we live on the outskirts of the
city. We bought some sheep, which we shepherded and fed. Then, we sold them
at a good price. With the profits, we bought more sheep, and so on.
After each school day, I take them to the pasture, sit next to them, and study my
lessons. It brings me happiness to be with the sheep, but this project makes me
feel both happy and sad. I’m happy because of the friendships I develop with
the sheep and the income they provide us to cope with life’s burdens, but I get
sad when it’s time to sell them and leave them.
From this experience, I’ve learned patience, perseverance, and endurance.
I’ve also learned about trade and cooperation. I’ve grown fond of the sheep,
and I have two dogs that accompany me to the pasture to guard and assist me
in managing the sheep.
“FROM THIS
EXPERIENCE, I’VE
LEARNED PATIENCE,
PERSEVERANCE, AND
ENDURANCE.”
I know that after a while, I will leave this work. But for now, it’s the only source
of help for us. My work as a shepherd is solely for the purpose of facing life’s
expenses. God willing, I will graduate and find a job where I can better support
my family.
When I’m at home with my mother, I help her with household chores like
washing and cooking. I also go to the market to buy household necessities. This
work makes me feel proud and satisfied. In my free time, I also sell tissue paper
in the neighborhood, which has improved our financial situation and helped
me continue my education.
I know it’s tough, but with enough determination and willpower, I can endure
and overcome difficulties, and balance between studying, work, and all of my
other obligations without any dereliction.
This business has also helped us provide milk and ghee. When we need money,
we sell one of the sheep to cover medical expenses, household needs, and
education costs.
During shepherding, I encounter situations that require courage, like chasing a
stray sheep or dealing with a lost one. I try to learn how to communicate with
them to gain control. I remember one day, I fell seriously ill and stayed at home
for days, suffering from the illness until I recovered. I faced the illness with
courage and patience, which I learned from shepherding the sheep.
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND
VOLUME XXXIII
166 167