Maryam a young and determined 12 year old girl, a student of the 2nd grade from Koro Naw village in Asmar district, a remote and mountainous area where schools were completely out of reach. Before the CBE program began, children in her community grew up without even the basic opportunity to read or write. “I used to watch other children in nearby towns carrying books, and I wished I could be like them,” Maryam remembers.

She lives with her parents, three sisters, and two brothers. Her father, a laborer, has always carried a deep hope that his children would receive the education he himself was never able to have. “I never went to school, but I promised myself that my children should not face the same fate,” says Maryam’s father with pride. For years, Maryam and her siblings longed to go to school, but the nearest school was far beyond the mountains, dangerous roads and other social risk on her way ahead school. Without support, their dreams of education seemed impossible. she says, “Sometimes I thought maybe school was not for girls like me, maybe it was only for others far away.”

Maryam’s story shows how one small classroom in a remote village can transform a child’s future and inspire an entire community to embrace education—especially for girls. With a bright spark in her eyes, Maryam dreams of becoming a doctor one day so she can serve her people and improve healthcare in her village. “When someone in our village is sick, we have no doctor nearby. I want to become that doctor for my people,” Maryam explains. Her parents beam with pride, and other families in the village, encouraged by Maryam’s progress, have started sending their daughters to school too. She has become a role model for girls in her community. “Now when other parents see Maryam reading, they come to me and ask about the school. This change makes me so happy,” her father shared with a smile. Her family and she both thanks the providers and supporter of this educational program. She expresses with joy, “Thank you shining star! You made me a future of hopes.” And her family expresses their gratitiude to the supporters of this program, “Thank you very much for this support and we wish you to extend your support for the children in this area and other too.”
Maryam has not only learned reading and writing but also discovered the joy of learning. She now sees education as the pathway to dignity, opportunity, and service to her people.
“I never believed I would ever have the chance to go to school, but now I do. I want to receive a good education, and one day, I too will become a respected doctor. I will serve my people with all my heart.”