NEWSLETTER
DECEMBER 2021
End of the Year Letter from the Executive Director
As the semester, and the year, draw to a close, I would like to take a moment to thank everyone -and I mean everyone; students, teachers, parents, administrators, board members, volunteers, friends, community members, partners, and anyone else I may have missed!- for their support, dedication, and perseverance.
It has been a semester where the scale and scope of our challenges were matched and exceeded by the scale and scope of our successes.
Ongoing challenges and threats in social media, the insidious and persistent threat of COVID, and the precarious setting for our schools only fueled our commitment to meet the growing demand of students and families who want more for themselves. Thousands of supporters help make that possible.
This past semester, Abaarso School had perhaps its largest-ever class, of nearly 270 students in grades 7 to 12. There are now more than 104 graduates studying and gaining work experience in the US and many more abroad. Today, several of our alumni work full-time as teachers and leaders in the Network. Barwaaqo University welcomed a new class of aspiring female teachers, while recent graduates have proven to be effective and reliable professionals in our Kaabe schools. Our success in ensuring “education-to-employment” will continue to be a goal of the Abaarso Network as we add degree options for women at Barwaaqo University. As planned, the Kaabe system grew by nearly 300% in the past six months and is now serving over 200 students.
In my nine months since joining the Abaarso Network family, there have been two constants: challenge and resilience. Heading into a new year and a second semester, we should expect more of the same. This is not a cause for worry, but for inspiration.
I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year, and to thank all of you for all of your support over the last semester. Our students could not realize such profound success without your dedication to our work. You inspire us.
Best wishes for 2022,
Rob
US Congressional Delegation Visits Abaarso Network Campuses
In December, the Abaarso Network, in partnership with the Cheetah Conservation Fund and the Somaliland-American-Health-Association helped organize a visit from an important US Government delegation to Somaliland. A delegation of five representatives working for US Senators and Representatives from key committees in the US Congress, including the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights, and the Senate Appropriations Committee.
During the five-day visit, the delegation visited the Abaarso School and Barwaaqo University’s campuses, meeting students and faculty from each school. At Barwaaqo University, the delegation witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Abaarso Network and the Somaliland Ministry of Education intended to promote girls’ education and expand access to quality education throughout Somaliland. This monumental step not only illustrated the Somaliland Government’s support of Abaarso Network but also showed the delegation one way that Somaliland is committed to building an inclusive and peaceful democratic society with education for all, regardless of gender or background.
Abaarso Network Fundraising Hits Important Milestones Despite Ongoing Pandemic
The last two years have fundamentally changed the way organizations around the world function and how people interact. This has presented us with newfound challenges as we all are learning to adapt to an increasingly online world. Nonprofit organizations have had to adapt to this changing landscape and in keeping with the times, the Abaarso Network has made some changes as well including an increased online fundraising presence.
The biggest day around the world for nonprofits and philanthropic giving is #GivingTuesday, which falls the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. This November was the first time that the Abaarso Network took part in Giving Tuesday. As many of you that took part in our Giving Tuesday campaign know, over the last two months we’ve been sharing stories from across our network in order to show the world the successful and inspiring students of Somaliland.
Thanks to you, and a generous match from a long-time donor, we raised over $225,000 in the two months surrounding Giving Tuesday. That is over double the amount we hoped to raise for our first Giving Tuesday. These gifts from the Abaarso community will support access to quality education, food, technology, and health care for over 650 students during the current school year.
On behalf of all of our students, thank you for your continued support during uncertain times.
Of course, we are still taking donations. If you’ve been waiting until the end of the tax year, we’ve arrived! Every donation will help change the lives of ambitious, self-driven scholars in Somaliland. Every act of generosity counts, and each means even more when we give together.
Early Decision 2021, Abaarso School Continues Reputation of Excellence
Abaarso School is thrilled to report that several seniors and recent alumni have already been admitted with full financial aid during U.S. universities’ Early Decision process. In August 2022, Abaarso graduates will enroll at Amherst College, Grinnell College, Pomona College, TCU, Tufts University, University of Rochester, and more. Early in 2022, other students’ applications will be submitted to colleges and universities in the U.S. and around the world. Congratulations to all those admitted so far! We continue to be enormously proud of these and all our graduates!
Alumni Profile: Meet Hani
Hani Arab (ASST Class of 2021) grew up the fourth oldest of twelve siblings living in Burao, Somaliland. Hani joined the Abaarso School of Science and Technology as a seventh-grader and was able to take part in many extracurricular activities according to her diverse interests during her years on campus. She was a member of both the girls’ basketball team and the girls’ football team. Furthermore, Hani was a member of many clubs like the global issue club, debate club, and writing club. During her senior year, Hani completed her internship projects with the Abaarso School Media and Enrichment teams. Following graduation, Hani was accepted to BINUS University in Jakarta, Indonesia, and enrolled in the fall of 2021. Hani is currently completing her freshman year at BINUS University while working remotely for the Abaarso Network Communications team. By working for the communications team Hani is exemplifying one of the key missions of the Abaarso Network; creating the educational infrastructure that Network alumni may build upon for generations to come. In addition to her studies and work for the Abaarso Network, Hani hopes to learn more about aviation and fulfill one of her lifelong dreams of becoming a pilot.
