My Involvement with The Hadhramout Foundation

WHAT IS THE HADHRAMOUT FOUNDATION?

The Hadhramout Foundation – Human Development was established in Hadhramout, Yemen, in 2006 by a group of Saudi business professionals led by Eng. Abdullah Ahmed Bugshan. The Hadhramout Foundation, Inc., is a nonprofit sister organization developed a few years ago in the United States. The original founders have deep roots in Yemen and poured many resources into developing this educational charity dedicated to uplifting the young people of Yemen.

WHAT ARE THE FOUNDATION’S KEY PROGRAMS?

The organization offers an array of educational programs, but arguably the most valuable one is its prestigious scholarship program. Through a rigorous and highly competitive process in Yemen, the foundation selects a group of elite students to pursue their higher education at esteemed institutions across the globe, spanning North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Over the years, the foundation has sent more than 5,000 students worldwide to pursue their education. It has sponsored almost 250 young men and women pursuing higher education in the U.S. and Canada. The program aims to equip students with knowledge and skills to improve their lives and support their families, while also contributing to the rebuilding and development of Yemen.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST GET INVOLVED?

Ahmed graduating from Northeastern University.

I was truly fortunate to be one of the students sponsored by the foundation. I attended the Mukalla Model Secondary School, a highly selective institution in Hadhramout. Admission to this school is competitive, requiring students to pass an entry exam and rank within the top 10%. After graduating, the foundation offers full scholarships through its international scholarship program, which is awarded to students with high grade-point averages who pass rigorous post-graduation exams. Luckily, I graduated third nationwide in high school education in Yemen with a GPA of 99.63% and ranked first in the foundation’s exams, earning the scholarship to study abroad.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER EARNING THE SCHOLARSHIP?

My journey with the foundation—and alongside my fellow scholarship recipients—extends far beyond financial support. In the midst of the struggles and turmoil in Yemen, where war has cast a shadow over countless lives, the foundation stood as a beacon of hope for all of us. The foundation is also dedicated to nurturing our potential through unwavering mentorship and guidance at every step of our educational journeys. This invaluable support has been instrumental in helping me overcome challenges and achieve my dream of earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, graduating summa cum laude from Northeastern University in Boston, MA. The foundation also fosters a sense of community among students worldwide, encouraging us to connect and collaborate. I had the privilege of joining the Hadhramout Foundation Students Club in the U.S., where I served as Vice President for nearly a year, further enriching my experience and deepening my commitment to our collective success.

HOW DID THIS IMPACT YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL LIFE?

Studying in the U.S. provided me with an exceptional education and opened doors that positively impacted my family in Yemen. With my degree, I secured a job at a great firm, which has helped me grow professionally and has allowed me to support my family financially, easing some of their burdens during these challenging times. My success represents more than a personal achievement; it’s a glimpse of hope for my loved ones, even from afar—a similar sentiment shared with my fellow scholarship recipients. We all know deep in our hearts that all that is left for our people now is HOPE.

This program is a gift that has also taught us the importance of giving back. We see the positive outcomes we get from the program and feel grateful but also passionate about helping other young students have the same opportunities. In 2018, a group of fellow alumni were granted $10,000 by the Davis Projects for Peace initiative to implement a project back home. We volunteered and organized a four-week-long camp called “Science for Peace,” targeting young boys and girls in the years leading up to high school, where we aimed to introduce science in an experimental and fun way. A participating student told one of our field team members in Yemen that they intended to arrange a similar project for children when they grew up. This is the “peace” we wanted to implant among the young generation of Yemen. The pleasure my peers and I gained from this experience is priceless, and we would love to do it again and again.

Foundation gathering in the US.

HOW DO YOU GIVE BACK?

As an alumnus of the scholarship program, I know deep inside myself that no matter how much I give back to the foundation and the people who invested their time and resources in us, I will never fully repay them. Therefore, I seize every volunteering opportunity with the foundation and make it a point to donate monthly, even if it’s just a small amount. I understand that what may seem like a little can mean a lot to them. A few years ago, I hosted a live Facebook series called “About My Major,” where I invited colleagues to discuss their fields of study. Our goal was to inform students back home about different majors and help them make informed decisions about their futures. Nowadays, I typically help support new students arriving in Boston for their English studies or college degrees. This includes greeting them at the airport, assisting them with housing, and showing them around to help them adapt to the new environment.

It also means a lot that my employer cares about these efforts and my interests. Earlier this year, SGH donated to the program to support the foundation’s important work in fostering education for the next generation.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU?

At SGH.

This work is deeply important because it showcases the transformative power of education and community support. The Hadhramout Foundation does more than provide scholarships; it offers a lifeline to young individuals like me striving for better futures amid adversity. For me and my fellow scholarship recipients, the foundation nurtures our growth, enabling us to uplift our communities in Yemen while also contributing to the U.S. in many aspects culturally, socially, and economically.

Ultimately, this mission is about hope—for ourselves, our families, and our homeland. By investing in education, we not only create positive change in Yemen but also enrich the U.S. with bright minds ready to make a difference.