We had all dropped out of school, but now we’re all back studying. Life has improved
Munadhel is a young man from Yemen’s Muhamasheen community, a marginalised ethnic minority that has faced generations of discrimination, poverty and exclusion. Despite war, economic collapse and social prejudice, Munadhel is building a future for himself and his family through education, entrepreneurship and determination.
This is a story about the power of opportunity, and what can happen when people are given the tools to rebuild their lives.
Munadhel’s story
“My name is Munadhel. I’m from Taiz governorate and I’m studying accounting at Taiz University. I live with my family, 16 of us in one room. My mother, my father, and my 14 siblings.
Life before the war was beautiful. After the war, everything changed. Poverty, hunger, unemployment, it hit us hard. Sometimes we couldn’t even find enough food for the day.
Because of that, my siblings and I were forced to stop our education. It wasn’t a permanent decision, just a pause. We had no choice. Should we die of hunger?
I started working in villages doing manual labour, like my father. Taking on responsibility at a young age is very difficult. You stop thinking about dreams. You just think about food.
A turning point
“After I quit school, Oxfam came. They trained us and gave us work through a project. At the end of each month, we received a stipend.
That stipend became our only support.
I trained with other organisations, including the Youth Renaissance Organisation in Taiz. The experience gave me skills, confidence and hope.
Receiving the stipend felt like coming out of darkness into light.”
Education restored, dignity rebuilt
With the support of the Oxfam stipend, Munadhel was able to return to school and complete his high school education. His siblings, who had also been forced to drop out due to poverty, were able to resume their studies as well.
After finishing high school, Munadhel continued his education by completing an English diploma followed by a computer diploma. He also undertook additional training in areas such as project management, first aid and strategic planning. As a result, his family’s situation began to stabilise, their access to food improved, their livelihoods strengthened and daily life became more secure.
Building a business, supporting a family
Munadhel used part of the stipend to purchase a laptop to support his studies and future work, as well as a motorbike. The motorbike allows him to travel to villages and mountainous areas to sell fruit and vegetables, generating income to support his family’s daily needs.
Together, the family also started a small income-generating project. This has helped create a more stable and reliable source of income, reducing their dependence on day-to-day labour and uncertainty.
Munadhel used part of the stipend to purchase a laptop to support his studies and future work, as well as a motorbike. The motorbike allows him to travel to villages and mountainous areas to sell fruit and vegetables, generating income to support his family’s daily needs.
Together, the family also started a small income-generating project. This has helped create a more stable and reliable source of income, reducing their dependence on day-to-day labour and uncertainty.
Looking ahead
Munadhel is currently studying at university and hopes to complete his Bachelor’s degree, with aspirations to pursue postgraduate studies in the future if circumstances allow. Despite the ongoing challenges of war, poverty and systemic discrimination, he remains determined to succeed.
For Munadhel and his family, Oxfam’s support has been transformative, restoring access to education, opening up opportunities and helping them rebuild their lives with dignity.
Good to know: The Muhamasheen community
The Muhamasheen (“the marginalised ones”) are a visible minority in Yemen who have faced generations of caste-based discrimination. They are often denied access to education, employment and basic services.
Although Yemeni law does not formally discriminate against Muhamasheen people, discrimination is deeply embedded across society and institutions. Literacy rates in some Muhamasheen communities are as low as 5 per cent, driven by poverty, exclusion and racial abuse.
Good to know: The situation in Yemen
After nine years of conflict, more than 18.2 million people in Yemen need humanitarian assistance. The war has devastated the economy, destroyed infrastructure and driven food insecurity to near-famine levels.
Yemen imports around 90 per cent of its food. Global food price rises, combined with conflict and displacement, mean millions of families cannot afford basic staples.
3.5 million people are acutely malnourished, and over 4.5 million people have been displaced, most of them women and children.
