Sagal has four sisters and four brothers. Sagal is most proud to be a student at our school since it is like no other school in her country. What she enjoys most about the school is that the work is challenging, but the community and teachers are very supportive of students succeeding. Her favorite subjects are English, computers, and history. Sagal loves to read and mostly enjoys reading history books. When not reading or studying, Sagal enjoys playing basketball. In the future, Sagal hopes to be a computer programmer.

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.

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.

Mohamed Sugule is 22 years old, and beginning his post-graduate year at Abaarso School of Science and Technology in Somaliland. He grew up in the countryside with his pastoralist parents, and describes himself as totally ignorant to the world until he began his education at age 12. His role model as a child was a gun-toting camel herder protecting his camels from other pastoralists, but with education he has realized that this role model was limited and says, "Now I can be someone who can make other people's life better." He hopes one day to be the Minister of Education.

Mustafa Mohamed Ibrahim is 19 years old, and beginning his post-graduate year at Abaarso School of Science and Technology in Somaliland. One of the strongest critical thinkers in the school, he says going to school allowed him the opportunity to see the world in a different way, and to question and have different opinions. He hopes one day to become a mathematician because he says, "Math is a language where you communicate with nature," and it allows you to create and innovate in new ways around complex problems. An area where he enjoys thinking through such problems chess. The best chess player at the school, Mustafa says that chess is a "small world that could represent the whole world," and that chess allows him to reflect on life. He is also an avid runner, and says. "Running is pain. If you can do that you can do anything."

Ahmed Mohamed Qaalib is 18 years old, and beginning his post-graduate year at Abaarso School of Science and Technology in Somaliland. He hopes to become a doctor because he believes more doctors are necessary to help his country become a healthier and safer place, and because there is a lack of doctors in the country. His strong academics make this a realistic goal. Outside of the classroom, his passion is basketball. He started to play four years ago when he first came to Abaarso, and his natural talent and strong work ethic have made him one of the best players in the country. His exceptional athleticism and ball control help make him the school's best player, and he could easily walk on to many college basketball teams. He hopes to attend a university in America following his post-graduate year at Abaarso.

Sucaad is 12 years old, and beginning her first year at Abaarso School of Science and Technology in Somaliland. She is happy to be at the school, and enjoys cleaning the school because it is hers. She hopes to get an education abroad, so she can become a teacher and help people. She says the best part of the first week of school have been her teachers, who are very friendly.

Muhiim is a fifteen year old from Somaliland. She has eight siblings. Her mother died when she was five, and her father is temporarily employed as an engineer. This is Muhiim’s first year at Abaarso School of Science and Technology, where she’s enrolled as a ninth grader. Without hesitation, she says that she’s grateful for the opportunity to study at Abaarso, and will strive to learn as much as she can. Her favorite subject is science. Although she isn’t certain about what the future holds, she wants to study medicine. When she’s older, she hopes to become a doctor in order to help those in need. She enjoys supporting others, and wants to do her best to improve people’s lives.