RANYA ABDULLAH

Yemen- Women are vulnerable victims of conflict and war. “The absence of my children and my concern for them have exhausted me. Despite that, I took my exams while my heart was beating for my children,” said Radhia Shamsan, a woman living in the Al Maafer district of Yemen’s Taiz governorate. She expressed her concern about her children, who have been forcibly disappeared for two years. Despite all the challenges, she decided to realize her childhood dream; completing her education.

The story of Radhia Shamsan is not an ordinary story but a story full of struggle. “No to the impossible,” she told NuJINHA while talking about her life.

Radhia Shamsan was not sent to school by her parents. “When I was of school age, I was told, ‘School is only boys not girls’. Since then, receiving education has been my dream. I got married devoted myself to raising my children and doing the housework. I learned how to sew and then bought a sewing machine to work from home so I could learn an income for my children.”

When she was learning how to sew at a course in her district, she was asked to prepare a list of the course attendees' names; however, she could neither read nor write. “I decided to join a literacy course. My children helped me learn, and the first word I wrote made me very happy.”

After completing her primary education thanks to the literacy course, she enrolled in secondary school. Due to her age, some students made fun of her but she did not give up and overcame all the challenges thanks to her teachers. “All the students started calling me 'Mama Radhia,' and I became their close friend. I was able to complete my secondary education.”

Radhia Shamsan then completed her high school education. Now, she dreams of going to university.

‘Her story is an inspiring story’

“Radhia Shamsan’s story is an inspiring story,” said Hoda Yassin, a teacher at the Literacy Center in the district. “I call on all illiterate mothers attend the courses held by the literacy centers. There is no age limit for education.”

Hoda Yassin also mentioned the lack of books and education tools at the centers and called on the authorities to support these centers.