Empowering girls in Yemen through education and hope

Summer Nasser, CEO of Yemen Aid, shares how Mary’s Meals is transforming the future for girls in Yemen

Published on

23 Apr 2025

After ten years of civil war, climate-related crises and a deteriorating economy, Yemen is facing one of the world’s worse humanitarian crises. More than 4.5 million people (1) are internally displaced; two thirds of the population are in dire need of humanitarian assistance (2) and millions are struggling with ‘alarming’ levels of hunger (3).

Summer Nasser, CEO of Yemen Aid, our partner in the country, explains how in such living conditions, Mary’s Meals is helping to transform the future for young girls in Yemen.

"During conflict, the first instinct for any family living in poverty is to merely survive. Education is usually a lower priority compared to meeting basic needs. Children are frequently required to help their parents by fetching water, working to earn money, or assisting with household tasks just to ensure their family can get by. They don’t have the opportunity to go to school and it’s not uncommon to see a child selling items on the street instead of sitting in a classroom because their family needs the income.

"And even after all of that, the family may not have a meal at the end of the day or parents go hungry so their children can eat.

"This creates a vicious cycle of poverty and means children don’t have the chance to build a better life for themselves and their families."

Shaping the future

Poverty, hunger and lack of access to education are limiting children’s present and future, with two in five children, or four and a half million (4), out of school. Young girls living in Yemen, in particular, are at risk.

Girls in rural or impoverished areas face many obstacles and challenges. When money is tight or food is scarce, girls are the first to stay home. They’re expected to help with chores, care for siblings, or even marry young to ease the financial burden on their families. In remote areas, girls are often tasked with fetching water from distant locations during the day, leaving them no opportunity to attend school.

Building a better Yemen can only happen if its female population are able and supported to educate themselves.

Summer says: "Education is vital for all, but advocating for girls is especially important. Educated women foster social stability, champion equitable policies and take on leadership roles that drive change. Educated mothers prioritise their children’s education, breaking cultural stigmas and creating generational progress. In the long term, empowering girls strengthens Yemen’s economy and builds a more inclusive, resilient, and prosperous future for all."

Catalyst for change

Mary’s Meals is a catalyst for change, allowing families to see the value of educating their daughters and supporting them with that.

The school feeding programme has shifted priorities for many families. The promise of a nutritious meal has encouraged parents to send their daughters to school, recognising the value of education.

Summer continues: "This change not only ensures girls receive the meals they need to stay healthy and focused but also gives parents the chance to see their daughters thrive academically. As these girls excel in their studies, families witness their potential and begin to understand the transformative power of education."

Mary’s Meals has been supporting children in Yemen since 2021 and currently serves meals to 10,000 children, boys and girls, every school day. Summer points to an increase in attendance and a fall in drop-out rates as clear benefits of daily school meals, as well as improvements to health, energy and academic achievements.

The strength of the school feeding programme is that it is addressing both education and food insecurity, providing a much needed ‘relief’ for families.

Summer explains: “For parents who struggle to put food on the table, knowing their child will get a nutritious meal at school is a huge relief. It means they can worry a little less about where the next meal will come from and focus on other pressing needs, like keeping a roof over their heads or buying medicine for a sick family member.

"The highlight of the Mary’s Meals partnership has been witnessing the happiness and transformation it brings to children and their communities. Providing meals not only encourages families to prioritise education but also energises students to focus and thrive. Seeing children, especially girls, given the chance to learn and grow has been deeply inspiring and reaffirmed the importance of this partnership in creating hope and opportunity."

The power of resilience

Summer joined Yemen Aid in 2016, determined to ‘make a tangible difference during one of Yemen's darkest times’. She is confronted regularly with the desperation many are facing, but also of the resilience, hope and resourcefulness of Yemenis.

She says: "I had the privilege of visiting a school participating in the programme and was struck by the energy and joy radiating from the students as we distributed meals. The school meals, consisting of a sandwich and a fruit or vegetable, not only nourish their bodies but also light up their spirits.

"One moment that stayed with me was when a student approached me with a curious smile and asked about my favourite day of the week. I told her, “I enjoy Fridays.” She smiled back and said, “I love Tuesdays.” Intrigued, I asked why. Her eyes lit up as she explained, “On Tuesdays, we get my favourite fruit—an apple.”

That simple yet heart-warming exchange reminded me of how impactful the meals are. The school meals can break cycles of poverty, empower families, and create opportunities for brighter futures, even in the most challenging circumstances.

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