Haifa's story

A Beacon of Hope and Resilience in Yemen

NFDHR: Mohammed Al-Thawr - Wednesday, 27 December, 2023

Amidst the harsh realities of Yemen's largest displacement camp, Al-Jufaina, Marib governorate, Haifa's story emerges as a beacon of hope, resilience, and unwavering determination. Married at the age of 12, Haifa's childhood was abruptly cut short, yet her spirit never wavered. Despite the challenges of poverty and displacement, she nurtured a burning desire for education and a better life for her family.
 
Despite being 18 years old and a mother of three young children, Haifa enrolled in the Accelerated Learning Program in December 2022, reigniting her dream of pursuing education. Undeterred by her circumstances, she simultaneously started a small business selling potato chips at her school, utilizing the direct aid assistance with tools for preparing potatoes and chips that she received from the National Foundation for Development and Humanitarian Response (NFDHR). This entrepreneurial venture provided a much-needed daily income, easing her family's financial burdens and improving their living conditions.
 
“I wanted to study, but I faced difficulty because I became a mother of three children. But the Accelerated Learning Program helped me continue education.” - Haifa Ali says
 
Haifa's story is a testament to the transformative power of education and personal initiative. She is among the 70 students who, despite early marriages, found a path to education through the Accelerated Learning Program aimed at empowering students who dropped out or discontinued their studies to return to the classroom.
This program is implemented by NRC in partnership with NFDHR, with the support from UNICEF and funding from ECHO.
 
"In Yemen, there are 4 million girls who were married before the age of 18, including 1.4 million girls who were married before the age of 15"
(UNFPA, February 2022, A child bride from Yemen was forced to grow up too quickly)
 
Haifa's success story is one of the 5,500 students who have benefited from the Accelerated Learning Program, reclaiming their right to education. Additionally, 700 families have received direct aid assistance from the NFDHR, providing them with a much-needed vital lifeline to improve their livelihoods.
In a country where child marriage is prevalent, Haifa stands as a symbol of hope and inspiration. Her journey exemplifies the remarkable resilience and unconquerable spirit that lie within every individual, waiting to be unleashed through education and empowerment.