United Nations statistics reveal that the marginalized population in Yemen suffers from alarmingly high illiteracy rates, reaching approximately 92%. This group is spread across various regions of Yemen and lives under harsh living conditions, with most residing in tin shacks, highlighting the poverty and discrimination they face. 

Despite these challenges, some families have started pushing their children toward education, with a few managing to reach higher education. According to statistics from the National Union for the Development of the Most Vulnerable, the number of university students over the past six years has reached approximately 126 students. However, the vast majority of them remain outside the realm of education, unaware of its importance in transforming their reality and escaping the cycle of poverty and social isolation.

Clinging to Dreams and Goals
Many parents decide to let their children help support the family instead of pursuing their education due to a lack of awareness and the absence of basic public services necessary for education. This occurs despite the fact that Yemeni law guarantees the right to education for all without discrimination. However, there are limited examples of individuals who have shown determination and perseverance, breaking into higher education.

"Saeeda" faces immense difficulty in providing the necessary supplies for university studies, but as she says, "I did not give up on reaching what I want. At times, I can't afford transportation to university, but I try and do my best to achieve my goal of becoming a lawyer in the near future to defend the rights of the oppressed."

Reflecting on her experience in higher education, Hager Fahman, a recent graduate from the Faculty of Medicine who works as a "Medical Assistant," says to “Khuyut”: "I feel a great sense of relief after achieving my dream of graduating as a medical assistant. Education makes a person feel their true value within society," adding, "I will live up to everyone's expectations, and I will do everything in my power to serve my country and my community."

Meanwhile, Mohammed Qaed, a student in the fourth year of the Faculty of Arts at Taiz University, Department of English Language and Literature, explains to “Khuyut” that higher education represents a critical step toward success, stating, "If it’s not a university education, then it’s worth nothing. We must cling to our goals and dreams to reach what we want."

Ahmed, another student, speaks of the challenges he initially faced, saying that he felt unqualified for university. However, he decided to push himself further: "Days passed, and one of my professors gave me an assignment. I tried, but I didn’t understand anything during the lectures. I decided to stop and learn intensively." The result, as he says, was a strong comeback, securing a prominent position in his university entrance, eventually becoming one of the top students in the Department of English Language and Literature.

Pride Mixed with Struggles
Despite the economic challenges, many students continue to work while studying. Rasheed is a prime example of this; he taught English to earn an income that would support his studies and enhance his skills. Rasheed Ahmed, a student at Taiz University, Faculty of Arts, tells “Khuyut” that higher education is a decisive phase in overcoming ignorance and racism, adding, "Our goal is to continue the journey until we earn a doctorate and become a source of pride for our people."

Haj Ahmed, Rasheed’s father, expresses his pride in his son’s achievement, saying to “Khuyut”: "I am very proud of my son, and I’ve always dreamed of seeing him graduate. I stayed up nights and worked in every possible job to provide for his education. Today, my son is no different from any other student in the community."

Haj Ahmed recalls his own hardships: "We lived in a time when we dreamed of receiving an education, but we were isolated from society, working day and night to provide food for our children. We had no one to help us back then, and we remained outside the educational system. Work is light, but ignorance is darkness."

Keys to Social Justice
The success of many marginalized individuals in overcoming difficulties and joining higher education has a positive impact in raising awareness within their communities. Abdullah Sarhan, the director of student services at Taiz University, confirms this to Khuyut, stating that higher education ensures social justice through competition for seats in prestigious colleges such as medicine and engineering, with exams conducted with full transparency.

Sarhan notes that education creates awareness among such marginalized groups, pushing them further toward university, pointing out that in recent years, there has been a gradual yearly increase in higher education participation among the marginalized, with a significant number of students from various regions. Additionally, those who succeed in education often encourage their relatives or neighbors to follow suit, which is a tangible and significant indicator of success.

However, Sarhan hopes that organizations and the higher coordination for the marginalized groups will intensify their efforts to announce the availability of university education and free seats both within and outside the city, especially in rural areas.

Barriers to Continuing Education
Saeeda Ahmed, a student at the Faculty of Law at Taiz University, insists on not succumbing to the obstacles and challenges standing in the way of achieving her dream. She tells Khuyut, "Education is our promising future, and without it, we will accomplish nothing in life."

Saeeda faces immense difficulty in providing the necessary supplies for university studies but refuses to give up. At times, she struggles to afford transportation to the university, but she tries her best to achieve her goal of becoming a lawyer in the near future to defend the rights of the oppressed.

In this context, Noman Al-Hudaifi, president of the National Union for the Most Vulnerable Groups in Yemen, tells “Khuyut”: "We are extremely proud of our sons and daughters who have graduated from various university faculties. It is important, according to him, that university graduates find job opportunities, expressing his hope that the government will work on implementing the principle of equal opportunity for all citizens, as access to public employment is a right for every citizen."

Al-Hudaifi stresses that education at all levels, including higher education, is one of the most important tools for positive change and social integration. It enhances participation in public life and provides equal access to decision-making positions alongside other segments of Yemeni society.