My name is Layla Ahmed Ibrahim, and I am in grade 10th. I have 5 sisters and one brother, and we all live together. I and two of my younger sisters go to Abaarso School. My favorite subjects in school are Biology and History. In my free time I love playing basketball and soccer sometimes. When I go to college I want to study public health care because there are a few female doctors in my country.

I appreciate your gift that you're providing me so that I can be educated. It will not be enough if I thank you because you made me smile, sit in a class and be in the best school in our country. You made me special, happy and motivated to go after my dreams no matter what the circumstances are. My favourite subjects are English and math. Additionally, I like to write so that I can be viewed as innovative. I enjoy all kinds of sports, especially basketball. I'm from a family of seven. We all live in the city and they also support me to stay a visionary student.

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.

I was born and grew up in Burao. I've been looking forward to learn computers more and better, since Burao doesn't have computer schools and I was so lucky to get to Abaarso which I'm proud of. In the future I'm looking forward to be an engineer and work with the technology, since the world is being more and more close to the technology.

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.

Sakiya has four brothers, two sisters, and lives with her father. Sakiya is an active person who enjoys playing sports, especially soccer with her younger brother. She also enjoys watching movies during the holidays, since she does not have time to watch movies when in school. Sakiya’s biggest challenge is learning English, but by continuing to speak and read in English she is working on improving her English ability. In the future, Sakiya hopes to be a doctor to help the poor.

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.

My lovely payer I appreciate your support for me to be educated and I will never forget your help. It is true that I don't know you or saw you, but all I know is that you're a person who has a big heart. My name is Zainab, I'm currently in the 9th grade. My favourite subject is history because I like learning things that happened in the past. It is fun to learn things they used to do in real life. I come from a big family, and l have 12 siblings including me. Three of them are boys and 9 sisters. I like how my family supports us to go to schools, that is what tempted me to study and work hard. I like to read more because it increases my reading level.

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.