On the occasion of the International Day of Education, many Yemenis have taken the opportunity to thank Project Masam or its efforts in securing a number of Yemeni schools from landmines and restoring safety to these vital educational spaces.
Abdul Al-Qadi Abdul Al-Fadel, father of little Hadi Abdo Fadel, from Al-Nuwaihan area in Jabal Habash, Taiz Governorate, said: “Mines exploded in Al-Shaab Akkad School on the morning of Eid, and we were very afraid for our children, and I personally prevented my child from going to school. It happened after Hadi picked up a detonator while he was playing in the school yard, and it exploded in his hands, as a result three of his fingers were amputated.”
Abdul also explained the suffering of the students and their families before the arrival of Masam’s demining teams, adding: “We suffered great fear for our children, and we suffered a lot preventing them from going to school. It is not easy for a father or a mother to stand in the way of his or her child and prevent him from going to school, especially if you know his love for it and his attachment to study there, but we had no choice, because fear from landmines made us prevent our children from attending their schools.”
The father added that he changed his decision after Masam’s clearance teams came and secured the school from mines.
He said: “Masam teams worked diligently and with a high human conscience in our school, clearing it from mines. The school returned safe again thanks to Masam’s sacrifices, we are indebted to this project.
“Many parents had to send their children to other schools to continue their education away from the danger of mines. Thus, the children, in turn, got confused and experienced great fear of mines. Needless to say that studying in fear is a difficult feeling for a young child.”
Abdul also praised the positive impact of Masam’s landmine clearance activities related to securing schools on the psyche of students, parents and on the whole educational process, saying: “It is enough to see the eyes of our children shining with joy as they are about to enter their school again, and it is also pleasant to see the teachers’ longing for teaching the children once again, with their faces reflecting happiness.
“Parents are now reassured that their children are safe and sound in their schools, a matter which makes you realise the great and extensive work that Masam has done for our children, for us and for the educational process in Yemen. We are proud of this project, and we hope that all of Yemen will be safe from mines at the hands of Masam, as it is qualified for such a difficult and dangerous task.”
