Radhia Shamshan: A Fifty-Year-Old Achieves Her Dream of Graduating High School in Taiz

Yemen Monitor/Reports Unit/Exclusive:

The past forty years weren’t enough to extinguish Radhia Shamshan Taher’s passion for education. At a time when many retire from ambition and desire for learning or work, she decided to start anew, embarking on a journey with books and study. She resolved to fulfill a childhood dream, and today, at 51 years old, she has passed her high school exams and graduated with a 75% average.

“It was a dream deferred since childhood, because my family prevented me from getting an education, given that I was a girl, and a girl – in their view – has nothing but her husband and home,” Radhia proudly states after the results were announced.

Radhia adds to Yemen Monitor: “What pushed me to make the decision to study was my dream from a young age. Whenever I saw my young children learning, and I couldn’t even help them write a single letter, I felt sad.”

Radhia is a mother of nine children—six boys and three girls—and bears significant household responsibilities. Yet, she managed to divide her time between housework and studying. It wasn’t easy, especially since she hadn’t studied for decades. But she relied on her perseverance and the support of her children, who helped her understand modern curricula and provided a suitable atmosphere for studying, as she told us.

“I made my decision to study after my children grew up, and I said, ‘It’s time to achieve my dreams’,” Radhia continues.

Radhia began her studies in elementary grades at the illiteracy eradication center in Al-Maafer district – the city center, Taiz Governorate. From there, she joined Al-Faqid Al-Nouman Girls’ School and completed her studies alongside her two daughters, Latifa and Afaf.

How Did Your Family React?

Regarding her family’s reaction, especially her children, Radhia explains: “Everyone supported and encouraged me, and they welcomed the idea very much. They told me it was the right decision and that they would help me in every way they could, and they truly did; they were my support.”

Radhia continues, stating that she bore a great responsibility at home, especially in these difficult circumstances that the Yemeni people generally face. She works in women’s fashion design and tailoring, a profession she has had for more than twenty years. She would return from school and work at least four hours every day, then dedicate herself to school assignments and her household duties.

Did You Ever Feel Frustrated?

Radhia answers: “Yes, I won’t deny that I felt frustrated more than once, especially when I moved from the basic stage to high school, due to the difficulty of scientific subjects. The situation became even more complicated when my two sons were arrested in Al-Buqa’a on political charges, and they are still in prison to this moment. But I endured everything until I achieved the modest success I had dreamed of since childhood.”

Radhia says she was truly shocked by her grade when her son Abdulaziz told her the result because she had expected a higher score. She was told the result, but she insists on completing her higher education and enrolling in university to major in Business Administration.

Radhia’s Message

“My message to all fathers and mothers and every guardian of a woman: do not deprive your daughters of education no matter the circumstances, and do not allow outdated ideas to prevent you from letting your daughters achieve their dreams and ambitions.”

Radhia adds: “And my message to young men and women: know that the nation is going through a difficult and bad stage, but I urge you most sincerely to endure all of that and continue your journey for a better tomorrow.”

Radhia proves that there is no such thing as “too late,” and that high and genuine ambition will inevitably be achieved, even if after some time, no matter the circumstances. Dreams have a time to come true, even if delayed. The important thing is not to die before achieving them. And Radhia, despite her age, is living her dream and achieving it today.

Her children today expressed their great pride in her, and posted congratulations to her on social media platforms, affirming that their mother taught them a life lesson they will not forget. She instills hope in them despite everything, teaching them that ambition does not retire.