Bashir Hassan Aden is a 15 year old from Abaarso, a small village located in Somaliland. This year, he’s entering the eighth grade at Abaarso School of Science and Technology. Bashir has four brothers and a sister. His mother works as a cleaner, and his father sells food. In his free time, he enjoys playing football. Although he did not speak much English when he arrived at the school, he did not feel overwhelmed. Instead, he was determined to become a better student. His favorite subject is science, and in the future, he wants to be a scientist. He hopes to continue his education, and to eventually help his family better their livelihood.

Muhyadin is a grade 8 student in the 2016 school year. He has nine sisters and seven brothers. His favorite classes are English, science, and pre-algebra. Muhyadin very much enjoys learning and so is happy to be in school and studying. In his free time, Muhyadin likes to read novels. Being concerned about the future of his country, Muhyadin has many ideas for his future. He would like to be a doctor, since there are few doctors in the country, be president to help lead his people, and open a school to educate the poor.

Hamse has three sisters and two brothers.Hamse is glad to have earned a scholarship to attend Abaarso School and for this reason, Hamse is very dedicated to his studies. He enjoys learning and spends his time studying or playing soccer outside of class. His favorite classes are his math courses. With an interest in math, Hamse hopes to be an engineer in the future.

Nasriin is 14 years old, and beginning her first year at Abaarso School of Science and Technology in Somaliland. She is from Abaarso village, and owes her ability to attend Abaarso to the student tutors from the school who taught her for several years. As a result, she wants to be a teacher, so she can help people. She hopes to go to the United States to continue her education after Abaarso, so that she can do this. She likes to run because it's good exercise, and she enjoys spending her free time with her friends.

Cabdiasiis comes from a family of four sisters and four brothers. His favorite subjects are English, science, math, and computers. Outside of class, Cabdiasiis enjoys playing soccer and reading books. What Cabdiasiis likes most about school are the teachers who come from different parts of the world to educate him and his peers. Enjoying school so much, Cabdiasiis likes to share what he has learned with his friends and to help them study. In the future, Cabdiasiis hopes to become president of his country so that he can help the poor.

Ibtisam's siblings include six sisters and three brothers. Ibtisam is most proud of her family and hopes to make them happy by doing well in school. She feels most accomplished about being in school. Her favorite class is Geometry. In her free time, Ibtisam enjoys drawing and hiking. With her interest in drawing, Ibtisam hopes to be a fashion designer in the future.

Mohamedeid is a grade 8 student in the 2016 school year. His favorite classes are English, math, science, and social studies. Coming from the local orphanage, Mohamedeid is proud to have earned an education and be at the school he is now. In understanding the value of education, he enjoys volunteering his time to tutor children from the local village. He enjoys teaching and hopes to be a teacher in the future, and later the president of his country.

Farhan comes from a nomadic family, which includes his mother, two grandmothers, two grandfathers, five sisters, and nine brothers. Being from a nomadic family, Farhan is especially excited to have earned a scholarship to study at our school and have the opportunity to improve his and his family’s future. Farhan’s biggest accomplishment is learning English and continuing to improve his language abilities. When he first arrived at school, he had trouble understanding English, but he now feels comfortable learning in English. Now that he is comfortable with English, he enjoys helping his peers who are having trouble learn English so that they can do better in school. In the future, Farhan hopes to be a School Headmaster so that he can help other students learn.