Yemeni boy rebuilds life through education initiative

Education project helps marginalized students overcome trauma and reclaim their future

ABYAN, Yemen (MNTV) — In a small village in Yemen’s Abyan Governorate, 11-year-old Osama’s life was once filled with ambition and hope. But after a tragic accident left him struggling to communicate, his world turned to one of isolation and despair.

Now, thanks to an education support initiative by Save the Children, Osama is finding his voice again.

A fifth-grader with dreams of a bright future, Osama suffered a severe brain hemorrhage while playing, leaving him unable to speak properly. His withdrawal from school for over a month led to further emotional and social distress.

With no financial means for medical or psychological care, his father, Ali, was heartbroken as he watched his son retreat from school and social life.

That was until Rahma, Osama’s teacher, stepped in. Determined to help, she reached out to Save the Children, which introduced him to the Restoring Education and Learning (REAL) project.

Designed to support children affected by trauma, the initiative provides remedial education, psychosocial support, and specialized teacher training to help students reintegrate into school.

The program focuses on helping students recover from learning loss due to crises while ensuring their mental well-being.

Through the program, teachers learned techniques in literacy, numeracy, and emotional support, creating an inclusive environment that allowed Osama to regain his confidence.

Additionally, awareness sessions were conducted to encourage students to be empathetic and supportive toward their peers. These efforts helped Osama overcome his fear of being ridiculed by his classmates, allowing him to participate actively in lessons and extracurricular activities. “I like teacher Rahma because she helps me talk about things that bother me,” Osama shared. “I like going to school to play with my classmates.”

Ali, overwhelmed by his son’s transformation, expressed his gratitude. “It feels like a light has returned to his eyes,” he said, acknowledging the impact of the intervention.

He also emphasized the importance of such initiatives in helping vulnerable children receive education and emotional support despite the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

Osama’s journey represents a wider struggle in Yemen, where 1.7 million boys and 1.5 million girls are out of school, and 21% of children aged 5 to 17 live with disabilities.

Schools across the country lack adequate resources, and teachers often work in challenging conditions, making it difficult to provide quality education. In a country battered by conflict and economic instability, the REAL project is working to break educational barriers by enhancing teacher capacity, improving learning conditions, and providing alternative learning pathways.

For Osama and many other children, education is more than just learning—it is a gateway to healing, resilience, and opportunity. The REAL project is turning dreams into reality, one lesson at a time, offering a glimmer of hope in a nation striving for a better future.