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Mohammed* is an 11-year-old boy who lives in Aden Governorate in Yemen. He lives with his parents and his two younger siblings. Mohammed* and his family were displaced from Hodeida three years ago, after the war intensified in the city. Mohammed’s parents tried to enroll him into several schools as soon as they arrived in Aden, but unfortunately, he was rejected every time due to a lack of primary school places available. After two years of being displaced, Mohammed*s mother Salema* heard about the non-formal education classes that Save the Children runs in their neighborhood. Mohammed* started studying in center in Al-Basateen and within a few months he was able to read and write. Teachers in the center were impressed with his development and advised his mother to try enrolling him in a formal school. After a placement test in Al-Basateen primary school, Mohammed* was registered in the 3rd grade and now he is one of the best students in his class. Mohammed*s parents, who are illiterate, are very proud of their son, and believe education will provide him with a better future. Omaima Abdu (Nahda Makers)/ Save the Children

“The ability to read is the best feeling in the world”

14 Jan 2021 Yemen

“The ability to read is the best feeling in the world”

Mohammed* is 11 and he lives in Aden Governorate in Yemen with his parents and siblings. They were displaced from Hodeida three years ago after the war intensified.

Mohammed’s parents tried to enroll him into several schools as soon as they arrived in Aden, but he was rejected every time due to a lack of primary school places. After two years, Mohammed’s mother Salema* heard about Save the Children’s non-formal education classes.

WE STAND SIDE BY SIDE WITH CHILDREN IN THE WORLD'S 
TOUGHEST PLACES.

Mohammed started studying in the Al-Basateen centre and within a few months he was able to read and write.

Mohammed explains: “We are originally from Hodeida city. We had to leave our home and come to Aden a while ago. I can’t really remember our house in Hodeida.

"Last year when I first joined the centre, I wasn’t able to recognise the alphabet, but I worked hard and went to the centre every day, even when I was sick. My teachers helped me a lot and everything became easier day by day.

"I have a younger brother and sister. I love playing and acting like a teacher with them. After I finish my homework, I usually teach them the letters of the alphabet and the numbers. I want both of them to be able to read like I can. 

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Mohammed* in his school, Aden, Yemen Omaima Abdu (Nahda Makers)/ Save the Children

"It feels good that I can help my parents reading things like signposts in the street and labels on the food cans. My mother is very proud of me, and always shows off about me in front of everyone.

"I want to be a teacher when I grow up. I want to help people who can’t read and write, because the ability to read is the best feeling in the world.”

Salema, Mohammed’s mother, said: “Mohammed’s father is a daily labour worker, he is barely able to provide some income for his family. After we were displaced, we realised that education is the only way to give our children a better life.

"We were disappointed at first when schools rejected Mohammed, one year after the other, and we thought it was our children’s destiny to be illiterate. Non-formal education in the area brought us hope.

"Words can’t describe how proud I am. When I see Mohammed reading his books and writing I feel that all my dreams of a better future for my children are coming true.”

Save Our Education is our global campaign, which urgently calls on world leaders to support children with accessible distance learning, ensuring all children return to school when it is safe to do so, and are supported to catch up on their lost learning. Read the full Save Our Education report. Click here for more information on our work in Yemen.

*names changed to protect identity 

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