Abaarso School nurtures the academic, intellectual and character development of promising Somali students so that they can effectively and ethically advance their society. The school accepts students from throughout Somaliland and Somalia. As of 2018, five classes have graduated from Abaarso and over 100 students are continuing their education at leading institutions around the world including Harvard, Yale, Columbia and Rochester. A scholarship ensures that students from all financial backgrounds have an opportunity to attend Abaarso.
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.
School Year 2019
Nimco has four brothers and lives with her mother. Her favorite subject is science. Outside of class, Nimco enjoys playing basketball. Nimco’s greatest accomplishment is earning a scholarship to attend our school. Proud of her achievement, Nimco enjoys studying for her classes, learning new things, and striving to be the best student possible. With a passion for science, Nimco hopes to be a scientist or engineer in the future.
School Year 2021
Rayan is a student from Hargeisa, Somaliland. Her favorite subject is Science. When she's older, she wants to be a chemical engineer. Rayan believes that Somaliland needs more engineers. In addition, she wants to eventually build schools and mosques for the poor.
School Year 2017
Salma's siblings include three sisters and one brother. Salma is most proud of her school, where the community is like one big family. Anytime someone is having difficulty, she knows that the teachers and older students are there to support each other. She is also glad to be in school and to be learning new things. Her favorite subjects are algebra, theatre, and art. Outside of classes, Salma enjoys playing basketball or solving math problems. In the future, Salma hopes to be able to help the people who are homeless and orphans in her country, since she believes that these people do not receive enough support.
School Year 2018
Yasir comes from a family of four sisters and two brothers. Yasir is a talented soccer player and math student. Outside of class, Yasir enjoys playing soccer and helping around campus with community service projects. What Yasir likes most about school are the teachers and how well they teach. Being a talented math student, Yasir hopes to be an engineer in the future.
School Year 2020
Bushra is from Burao, the second-largest city in Somaliland, located in the Eastern region of the country, where she lives with her father and siblings. She had to leave school in 2014 because her family was unable to pay the tuition, but was given a scholarship and returned in 2015. Despite this gap, Bushra has excelled in English, and writes and speaks at a nearly native level, despite only a few years of instruction in English.
School Year 2018