Bilan has six sisters and three brothers. Bilan is proud to be going to the Abaarso School and receiving a quality education. Although learning English is challenging for Bilan, English is one of her favorites classes. She also enjoys social studies, and in her free time likes to read novels and history books. By reading more and practicing English, Bilan hopes to improve her English. Beyond reading, Bilan also enjoys helping around our community whenever there are projects that she can work on. In the future, Bilan hopes to be a doctor.

Warda lives with her mother, two grandmothers, grandfather, five sisters, and three brothers. Warda is excited to be at our school and to be receiving a quality education. Though she finds the rigors of our school difficult, she is determined to succeed. By studying her notes, seeing her teachers and peers for help, Warda is sure that she can succeed and be the best student possible. Although learning English as a second language is difficult for Warda, English is her favorite class. In her free time, she enjoys reading novels to help improve her English, or playing soccer or basketball for fun. In the future, Warda hopes to be doctor to help the poor in her country.

Bushra is from Burao, the second-largest city in Somaliland, located in the Eastern region of the country, where she lives with her father and siblings. She had to leave school in 2014 because her family was unable to pay the tuition, but was given a scholarship and returned in 2015. Despite this gap, Bushra has excelled in English, and writes and speaks at a nearly native level, despite only a few years of instruction in English.

Fernando was born in Sofala province. He is a very humble boy, does not have many friends and spends more time at home when he is not at school. His favorite hobby is listening to music at home. In 2012, the parents separated due to social problems. In 2013 his father died. He used to be a carpenter. After his father's death, Fernando’s mother abandoned him. His grandmother took care of him and then he moved to live with his aunty. The aunt has 2 children and does not make any activity that generates income to sustain the family. Her husband does little jobs in the construction field to help the family survive. When the uncle does not get a job, they may spend a day without a meal.

Yvonne is the second born child in a family of five. She is a very bright student and wants to be a lawyer in future. Her dream of becoming a lawyer has been propelled by the need to help the less privileged in the society especially girls and mothers get justice. Her parents are unemployed and only depend on casual jobs to provide for the family. Yvonne believes that success never comes on a silver platter.

Najma lives with her three sisters, five brothers, grandmother, grandfather, and mother. Her favorite subject in school is English. Najma enjoys learning new things and is glad to be learning English at school. To continue learning new things, Najma enjoys reading books about science in her free time. Other than reading, Najma also enjoys going over her class notes with her peers and helping each other to understand their class material. With Najma’s passion for learning and education, she hopes to be a teacher in the future.

Rosa was born in Sofala province. She is a very calm and a smiling girl. She loves to play with her friends of the same age. She is orphaned of father, who died in 2011, victim of illness. He used to do little jobs in the construction field. After her father's death, her mother abandoned the children and disappeared to an uncertain part until today. No one knows if she is alive or not. Rosa went to live with her uncle. His work is helping the fishermen pulling the nets. With the salary he earns, he is not able to sustain all the needs of his family. If the girl will not get support, she will have to stop studying.

Ahmed Daud Osman is a 15 year old from Hargeisa, Somaliland. He was raised in the Hargeisa Orphanage, and enrolled at Abaarso School of Science and Technology two years ago. He is now entering the ninth grade and is excited to begin a new year. Ahmed’s favorite subjects are math and science. In the future, he wants to be a professor. “Somaliland has many universities, but the education is not good. I want to teach the adults,” he says. Ahmed is not only compassionate, but also deeply introspective. When asked what is the most important lesson he’s learned at Abaarso, he took a moment to reply. “I learned how to be patient when you meet challenges.”