Ilham Sahili is 13 years old and lives in Al-Awaa village, in the Bani Hassan area of Abs district, north of Hajjah governorate, Yemen. One day, a landmine planted by Houthi militias near her home exploded, and her life changed forever.
Speaking to Project Masam, Ilham recalled: “I used to carry food for my family to the grazing areas. On the day of the explosion, I rode a donkey to the pasture as usual. I triggered a landmine which exploded near our house. In an instant, my leg was cut off, and I became a disabled girl who cannot do anything on her own.”
She added: “Now I am unable to attend school. I need help to get to school and join my classmates. I don’t want to become a victim of ignorance as well.”
Ilham continues to show courage and determination. She knows the damage landmines cause, but she will not let her injury stop her.
“I feel sad when I see girls my age going to school, playing, and living normally, while I stay at home, unable to move freely. But I will not give up. I will try to go to school, continue my education, and build my life. Even if it is slow, I will keep trying until I succeed.”
Ilham’s story also reflects the wider tragedy her family has endured. She explained: “Mines destroyed my life and left wounds that will never heal. I also lost my 14-year-old brother Omar, and my uncle lost his arm in a landmine explosion on the farm. But even with all this, I still want to live.”
Her father, Hajj Mohamed Sahili, described the pain his family has gone through. “Our area is full of mines, and my family has paid the price. My daughter Ilham lost her leg, my son Omar died instantly, and my brother lost his right arm. Even our sheep and camels have been killed.
“These mines are a disaster. We live in constant fear. We call on humanitarian organisations to clear our villages and farms from mines and make our lives safe. We count on Project Masam to clear the land and reduce the danger we face. We place our hope in this humanitarian effort.”
