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.

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.

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.

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.

Abdilahi is in his first year at Abaarso. He grew up in a house with two brothers and six sisters. His favorite subject at Abaarso is science, because he can see how it will help his future. He hopes to be a doctor, because he says that there are too many sick people in his country. Outside of class he plays basketball for fun, and spends his free time reading and doing homework.

Khadar Abdilahi Mohamed is a 15 year old from Hargeisa, Somaliland. He was raised in the Hargeisa Orphanage. He’s entering the seventh grade at Abaarso School of Science and Technology. While at the orphanage, Khadar was an assistant for Abaarso’s orphanage tutoring program. As an assistant, he was patient and kind to the younger students. He’s the first to help others when they’re in need. When he’s older, he wants to be an engineer. His nickname is “Shifo”, which means “health” in Somali.

Ferdous has three sisters and four brothers. Ferdous is most proud of attending our school and learning English. Over the years, Ferdous has improved her English abilities, as well as her math skills. With her improved English skills, she has read The Outsiders and The Alchemist, which are her favorite books. Her favorite classes are Geometry and History. In the future, Ferdous hopes to be able to help those in her country who cannot afford to go to school attend so that they can receive an education, which Ferdous believes to be important for the development of her country.

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.

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.