The insistence and determination of the leaders are the only ways to change the homelands. I have a dream to improve life in my country. As a child, I wished for Yemen to advance in the footsteps of advanced nations. When I grew up, I realized that wishes do not change the fate of nations. It was that realization that motivated me to seek out what I could do to work toward change. From my small town, I helped in organizing civil society organizations to promote public awareness of issues affecting life in our country.
My education began in a small village, my home, located high in the mountains. This region is deprived of the most basic services, water and electricity. After my fifth grade, the school closed for the lack of resources. At age thirteen I relocated to the city of Mukalla with two of my cousins. There I attended high school. During this period, I volunteered in the school as a member of Movement Scouts and Guides and helped organize a Scientific Fellowship Association for outstanding students in the city of Mukalla. It was while attending a high school that I was inspired to study at a college in the United States. Scholarship funding was not available for my education dream. I, therefore, went to the local Hadramout University and studied at the College of Electronics and Communications Engineering. While in college, I nominated to the University Student Union leadership. Then I was elected as one of seven leaders to lead fifteen-thousand students. I served first-year public relations director then the second year I was promoted to the secretary general. My responsibilities in the student union, I was a delegate on behalf all students in front of the formal and non-formal institutions, attending the university council meetings to represent the students. I had met the president of Yemen on behalf of Hadramaut students. After that in December 2012, I was chosen to attend an Academic Leadership Preparation Camp, which is convened by leadership experts in the Arab World like the professor Tariq Al-swaidan, in Istanbul.
During the Arab Spring Revolutions, I protested in the street to fulfill our freedom same as any young Arab. However, Arab Spring influenced me and opened my eyes on my responsibilities towards my home country, and I decided to be part of the transformation process. Arab Spring created a belief in myself that I can change my homeland’s fate. It was such as a spark for my nationalism and woke up my national awareness. Then I discovered that as an engineer in an office my role definitely won’t be effective as same as if I am in a political position as a decision maker. For that substantial transformation, I participated in establishing public foundations to raise youth awareness and to develop their skills and prepare them for the future of Yemen.
For my active leadership during the Arab Spring Revolution, as a college student, and my volunteer work in the Student Union and the awareness organizations; the Board of Trustees of Hadramout University (BTHU) nominated me to study in America after graduation. My sponsor for this cultural and education experience is Hadramout Establishment for Human Development sponsored by Al-Sheikh Abdullah Bugshan (the chairman of BTHU). They are financially sponsoring outstanding students from Yemen. The goal of this program is to prepare young leaders who will return to Yemen and help institute more human rights and democratic policies.
I know that my real purpose in life is the development of Yemeni society. Now that I have a sponsor to finance my education here in America, the opportunity to fulfill my goal in life have to be realized. I have a strategic plan of twenty-year to achieve my goals and become a leader of Hadramaut region toward the country leadership.
Having the opportunity to begin studies at on of the top public policy schools in the world such as George Mason University the School of Policy, Government, and International Affairs is a great honor. I researched deeply to select a program that fits with my ambition then I found that SPGIA has a elite of professors who are well respectful and they have a great experience. Also, to be student in those experts’ classes will gain me a unique experience. In addition, SPGIA located in the metro Washington DC area which is the world decision factory, will help me to refine my skills and build a strong network in the corridors of politics. All that will enhance my chance to be the leader who I want to be. However, I look forward to the successful completion of college studies to help prepare for the role that I have laid out for myself.