Dear son Mohamed,

This has been an important week for our family and for you. You have successfully completed the memorization of the Holy Quran, and we had the privilege of witnessing you speak in front of hundreds of participants at your graduation ceremony on December 4. You cannot imagine how proud we were to see you on stage, speaking with confidence. Thanks to your teachers at Madarassatu Luqman al-Hakim, who recognized your courage and confidence and selected you to deliver one of the many presentations during the ceremony. For us, it was a moment to appreciate and reflect on the decisions we made to prioritize the memorization of the Holy Quran for you and your younger siblings, alongside studying elementary school classes at home. Whether you realize it or not, you are setting an example for your younger siblings, who look up to you as a role model.

You started formal school on December 7, 2024. Coincidentally, this date marks the 24th anniversary of the day my father, your grandfather, passed away. We did not plan this, but it is a significant and emotional date for our family. I still miss my father dearly, but celebrating the day you started school on the same day he died brings a mix of emotions.

At the age of 8, you are incredibly fortunate to have memorized the Holy Quran and to have begun Standard Two in a school with facilities and teachers that far surpass what my family could afford when I was your age. When I started Standard One in 1996, I was also 8 years old. However, it was months after we had returned from nearly a year of fleeing from one village to another due to clan infighting. Two years later, the school I was attending ceased functioning, forcing me to pause my formal education for over two years.

Fortunately, during those two years (1998-1999), I studied English. I resumed formal education in Standard Three in 2000 when I was 12 years old. By the time I finished secondary school in 2009, I was 21 years old. Remember, I was among the luckiest students of my generation to have the opportunity to go to school. Millions of my peers never had that chance.

As you begin your school journey, I want to offer you some advice. I know you might find it difficult to read and fully understand this letter now, but I am writing it for you and your younger siblings to read when you are older.

First, you have a great opportunity to study, so don’t waste it. Understand that millions of Somali children your age struggle to get even three meals a day. Many do not have a school in their communities. For others, their parents cannot afford the tuition fees. Don’t take this opportunity for granted. If you study hard and do well, you could help them and their future children get better access to education.

Second, there are no shortcuts to achieving success. Never, ever try to take shortcuts in your education. I spent eleven years of my life completing primary and secondary education. I skipped Standard Four because I excelled in Standard Three. As I mentioned earlier, I completed secondary school at the age of 21. The years you invest in your education will shape the person you become. Avoid shortcuts, not only in school but also in life. Success requires effort, discipline, consistency, and hard work. Make the most of every class and every stage of this journey. Once you complete a class, it’s gone and won’t return. Use your time wisely and do your best at every step of this school journey.

Third, we are here to support you. We will do everything we can to help you and your siblings grow and excel in your studies. We are with you on this journey. We are part of your class WhatsApp group and are here to assist with your homework and provide moral support. We believe in you. We want you to grow into a champion for Somalia and the world. We have high hopes for your success in school and beyond.

We are so proud and excited to see you start school and set an example for your younger siblings. We look forward to watching you grow and learn. We wish you success!

Your Dad,
Mahad Wasuge