Wednesday September 25, 2024
Arafat Mahamud Jama (center) poses with classmates at Deerfield Academy. His journey from a rural life in Somaliland to one of the most prestigious schools in the U.S. reflects the power of education and resilience.
Arafat Mahamud Jama’s journey from the rural outskirts of the Sanaag region to a prestigious scholarship in the United States is a story of determination and resilience. Born in 2008 to a nomadic family, Arafat’s life took a dramatic turn as the effects of climate change forced his family to relocate from their pastoral life to the villages of Sanaag.
Arafat, now 16, has achieved what seemed impossible: transitioning from a small village to a place among the academic elite in the U.S. This dramatic shift happened in just four years, thanks to his relentless drive and an opportunity from Abaarso School, one of Somaliland’s most prominent educational institutions.
“I always knew that education would be my path out of the countryside,” Arafat told the BBC. “Even as a child, I dreamed of one day getting a chance to improve my life.”
Arafat’s family sold their livestock and moved to the town of El Afweyn, where they built a home and enrolled him in school. In 2015, Arafat began his primary education there, and it wasn’t long before he heard about an opportunity that would change his life.
“I learned that Abaarso School was recruiting students from all over Somaliland, including El Afweyn,” Arafat said. “I prepared myself for the entrance exam and succeeded.”
The move from rural life to El Afweyn wasn’t without hardship. Shortly after settling in the village, Arafat’s parents separated, leaving his mother to support the family with a small business. The split had a profound impact on him.
“Seeing my family’s situation pushed me to work even harder,” Arafat said. “I had to become stronger, not just for myself but for my siblings.”
Arafat’s mother became the backbone of their household, while his father stayed behind in the countryside, where he collected frankincense to make a living.
Despite the challenges at home, Arafat excelled in his studies. After passing the entrance exam for Abaarso School, he embarked on a 500-kilometer journey to Hargeisa, where the school is located.
Abaarso School in Somaliland, where Arafat first began to realize his academic and athletic potential. The school, located outside Hargeisa, has a reputation for helping students gain scholarships to top international institutions.
“At first, everything was difficult—the language, the environment,” Arafat said. “But I adapted, and Abaarso became a place where I could grow academically and personally.”
While at Abaarso, Arafat discovered a talent he never knew he had: running. Although he initially focused on soccer, one of his teachers noticed his natural speed during a game.
“That day changed everything,” Arafat recalled. “The teacher was a math instructor, but he also coached track and field. He saw something in me and encouraged me to pursue running seriously.”
Under the teacher’s guidance, Arafat began training for local competitions and soon made a name for himself as one of Somaliland’s top young runners. His speed opened new doors, including the possibility of earning a scholarship abroad.
Arafat didn’t just excel athletically; he was also among the top students at Abaarso. His academic performance, combined with his running talent, caught the attention of educators in the United States.
“Teachers from schools in the U.S. reached out to me, offering a scholarship based on my grades and my potential as a runner,” Arafat said. “It felt like all my hard work was finally paying off.”
Arafat Mahamud Jama speaks to local media after competing in a track event in Somaliland. His impressive running skills, first discovered here, helped him secure a scholarship to the U.S. and continue his athletic career abroad.
In 2023, Arafat received an offer from Deerfield Academy, a prestigious private school in Massachusetts. The scholarship marked a new chapter in his life, one that would take him thousands of miles away from home.
Though Arafat had never flown before, this journey was a completely new experience for him. He boarded a flight that lasted more than ten hours, and upon landing in Massachusetts, he immediately faced new challenges, from adjusting to American culture to navigating a different educational system.
“Everything was new,” Arafat said. “The food, the people, the environment—it was overwhelming at first. But just like at Abaarso, I adapted.”
Arafat continued to balance his academics with his running, and his training paid off. Earlier this month, he won first place in the “Loomis Invitational,” a regional youth competition in New England that included over 150 runners from states like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.
Arafat Mahamud Jama competes in a cross-country race for Deerfield Academy, where he has become one of the top runners. His athletic talent played a crucial role in earning him a scholarship to the prestigious U.S. school.
Winning that race has fueled Arafat’s ambitions, both athletically and academically. He hopes that his running talent will open even more doors for him, including scholarships to U.S. universities that are always on the lookout for gifted athletes.
“I feel like I’m on the right track,” Arafat said. “This is just the beginning, and I’m determined to make the most of every opportunity that comes my way.”
Ibrahim Said Ahmed, a relative of Arafat and his guardian in the U.S., expressed pride in his nephew’s accomplishments.
“Four years ago, Arafat was herding livestock in El Afweyn,” Ibrahim said. “Now, he’s studying with the children of American leaders. It’s a testament to his hard work and the opportunities provided by Abaarso School.”
In a Facebook post, Abaarso School also praised Arafat’s achievements, calling him an inspiration to other young people in Somaliland who dream of a brighter future.