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.

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.

Nuura's family includes her grandmother, two grandfathers, two sisters, and four brothers. Nuura has grown up without her parents. Her experience has developed a sense of compassion for others from difficult backgrounds. With this sense of compassion, Nuura’s hope for the future is to provide services for orphans and the poor in her country. Through this work, her dream is that Somalis will be able to live together united. At the present moment, Nuura’s favorite classes are Social Studies and Science. Outside of class, she enjoys being with her friends and making each other laugh. Her favorite books are A Long Walk to Water, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Count Down, and The Blue Ghost.

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.

Ahmed is a student from Abaarso, Somaliland. He grew up near the school and attended Abaarso's primary school tutoring program for several years. He has six siblings. Ahmed wants to be the first of his family to pursue higher education. His favorite subject is Math. In the future, he wants to be an engineer in order to help his family, and eventually, citizens of Somaliland.

Nafisa has fourteen sisters and fifteen brothers. Nafisa’s greatest accomplishment is earning her highest GPA yet of 2.97, and which is close to her goal of 3.00. Her favorite subject is English, and she is pleased that she is able to continue improving her English skills. Outside of school, Nafisa enjoys being with her friends and telling jokes, as well as reading anime books. In the future, Nafisa hopes to be a doctor.

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.

Khadar is from Hargeisa, and grew up living in the same house as many siblings and cousins. He is one of three members of this family to attend Abaarso, and has sisters in grades 9 and 7. He and his sister first heard of Abaarso because one of their neighbors is an alum. When they saw the school's graduation on Somaliland television, their mother told Khadar and his sister that they should attend Abaarso. Khadar had a very successful 7th grade year at Abaarso, excelling in all subjects but showing particular talent in math. He looks forward to using his talents to one day make it easier for people like him to attend school.

Hani is 12 years old, and beginning her first year at Abaarso School of Science and Technology in Somaliland. She hopes one day to go to America and continue her education, so she can be a doctor. She enjoys reading, playing games, and basketball. The best part about her first week was making new friends, and meeting her new teachers.