Aamiin grew up in the Hargeisa Orphanage Center, in the capital city of Somaliland. For several years before coming to Abaarso he attended Abaarso's tutoring program in the orphanage, where he was taught by older Abaarso students. He excelled in this program, and was admitted into Abaarso's first class of 7th graders in 2013, along with three other students from the orphanage. Given his background, the fact that he is at Abaarso makes him a real success story.

Jamal was born in Sofala province. He is a very quiet and humble boy. Respectful and polite with all older people and a good friend to other children. When back from school he makes his homework and helps his grandfather, then he goes out to play football with his friends. He is orphaned of father who died in 2005, victim of illness. His father used to be a truck driver helper while his mother works in a nursery school. Jamal lives with his grandfather because with what his mother earns, she cannot sustain her son. The grandfather often helps her as well with rice from the field he is planting. Without help, he will not be able to proceed with his studies.

Elton was born in Sofala province. He is a nice and intelligent child, and likes to play marbles with friends of his age. Elton’s father died in 2005. He used to be a guard. After his father's death, his mother remarried. Her husband would like to help but the business of selling second hand clothes is not of great sustainability, and the income is just enough to pay the rent and a minimum for the family to survive. Without help, his dream to follow up his studies may fall apart.

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.”

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.

Nelson is the last born child in a family of 10 children; two brothers and 7 sisters. His parents are peasant farmers with no means of supporting a big family and most important providing education. All his elder siblings were not able to get a good education. In 2015 Nelson sat for his KCPE exam and scored 361 marks and was the second top student at his school. Nelson wants to follow a different path from his elder siblings and make a career in his life. He believes that education is the key to success and he hopes to gain secondary education and study hard to become a mechanical engineer in the future.

João was born in Sofala province. He is a playful and smiling boy with many interests. He likes to play with friends in the same neighborhood. His father died in 2012, victim of illness. In life, he was selling products at the local market. After some time, his mother remarried, but the current husband pays no attention to his stepchildren. He is making little jobs as a driver here and there and he only provides food for the whole family with his low income, while the mother plants rice to help her husband with the household expenses. As there is no money to support the school expenses for the stepchildren, João hardly can fulfill his dream of becoming a teacher.

Mwau is the third born child in a family of four children. His father is a woodcarver and his mother is a housewife. Both parents are unable to raise his fees for secondary school. Mwau completed his primary education in 2015 and and scored 355 in KCPE exam. He was among the top students at his primary school. Mwau is a smart boy who is determined to work hard in school and become a civil engineer. He says, "When I grow up, I want to help design good roads in my country". This is the big dream for Mwau and with his passion and determination to excel in school, it should come to pass one day.