The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXXIII

NADA HANI
TALAL SALEH, EBTIHAL SALEH, AND FATIMA MUBARAK, TEACHERS
Khadigah School, Hadhramaut Governorate, Yemen
My family circumstances forced me to go with my mother to live with her
relatives in a rural area in Abyan Governorate. We lived in a remote village
where illiteracy and difficult living conditions were the main challenges. I was
seven years old at that time and studying in the second grade. Initially, I didn’t
like life there, and I would cry and long for my old city, my school, and my
family. Over time, I started to adapt to the village and continued my education
until I reached the fifth grade.
But then came the fateful day when the villagers woke up to screams and loud
noises. Everyone wondered what had happened. We learned shortly after that
an armed group had surrounded the village. It was an old story of vengeance
that claimed my uncle’s life a decade before. Now, one of the armed group’s
members sought revenge for his relative’s death. Within hours, the relatives of
the slain man arrived, surrounding our village in search of their son’s killer.
Masked men carrying weapons spread out and began shooting at children,
women, and men. Fear and panic gripped every household in our village.
“I NEVER LOST HOPE, AND THE
FLAME OF KNOWLEDGE CONTINUED
TO BURN WITHIN ME.”
In conclusion, I pray to God to improve the situation in our country and to
bless our people with security and peace. May harmful and destructive
behaviors, such as vengeance and illiteracy, come to an end. These factors
hinder progress and development, threatening the security and tranquility
of society. I hope that the light of knowledge reaches every home in our
homeland, because knowledge is the key to progress. With it, both dignified
life and the prosperity of nations are achieved.
Difficult moments passed, until our people started defending us and repelling
the attacks of the aggressive tribe. The battle intensified, and my uncle, whom
I loved and respected, was killed while trying to save his injured son from a
gunshot. There were casualties on the other side as well. The attackers
withdrew, but tensions remained between the two tribes.
As a result of this conflict, education was greatly affected. Schools were closed,
depriving many students, including myself, of their right to education. My
aspirations were shattered, and my dreams of studying and learning were lost
for nearly four years.
Eventually, circumstances changed in my favor, and we moved to the city. I
never lost hope, and the flame of knowledge continued to burn within me. Yes,
hope lingered in me once again as I returned to studying in the sixth grade and
persevered until I completed it successfully. And now, I am studying in the
seventh grade with dedication and diligence. I will not retreat until I achieve
my dreams and aspirations. The more I remember those difficult years, the
more determined I become to achieve success and become a productive
individual in my society.
THE COURAGE OF CHILDREN: BOSTON AND BEYOND
VOLUME XXXIII
168 169