Prudent is a bright 13-year-old girl from Sokoto South, Nigeria, whose life was suddenly transformed by tragedy. Her childhood was interrupted when violent bandit attacks claimed the lives of her parents, leaving her completely orphaned at a very young age. With nowhere else to turn, she was taken in by a guardian who was already struggling to provide for his own family. Basic needs like food, school fees, clothing, and healthcare became daily battles. For a long time, Prudent’s future looked uncertain, and her dreams of education seemed impossible.

Despite her difficult circumstances, Prudent remained resilient and hopeful. She longed to return to school and continue her education, but poverty stood in the way. Like many vulnerable children in Northern Nigeria, she faced the real risk of becoming another out-of-school child—her potential buried by hardship.

Everything began to change when Hasken Arewa Foundation intervened.

Through our education and child support program, Prudent was enrolled at Total Child School, Sokoto State, where she is currently in Primary 3. She received school materials, emotional support, and the care she needed to begin healing from trauma. More importantly, she was given back something she had almost lost hope.

Today, Prudent is a confident, creative, and outgoing learner. She loves reading, handwriting, and connecting with others through learning activities. She now proudly says she wants to become a doctor, with a strong desire to one day help out-of-school children and provide shelter for the less privileged. Her dreams, once silenced by loss, are now alive again.

Prudent’s story is a powerful reminder that when vulnerable children are given support, education, and love, their futures can be restored. Through the work of Hasken Arewa Foundation, one child’s pain has been transformed into purpose, and this is only the beginning.

Steven Ishaku is a gentle and determined 14-year-old boy from Pisabu, Kebbi State, whose life was forever changed by a tragic act of violence. His father, who was serving faithfully on the mission field, was killed during a bandit attack. This devastating loss left Steven’s family not only heartbroken but also without a source of income. With his mother as the sole provider and no stable means of livelihood, the weight of survival fell heavily on the family.

In the midst of grief, poverty, and uncertainty, Steven’s future appeared fragile. Many children in situations like his are forced to abandon their education in order to survive. Yet even through hardship, Steven’s hunger for learning never faded. Quiet, creative, and deeply curious, he continued to seek every opportunity to grow, holding on to the belief that education could still change his life.

That turning point came when Hasken Arewa Foundation reached out.

Through our education and child support program, Steven was enrolled at ECWA Primary School, Pisabu, where he is now continuing his education with renewed hope. He received school support, learning materials, and emotional encouragement to help him recover from loss and refocus on his future. The burden that once threatened to cut his education short has now been lifted.

Today, Steven dreams of becoming a doctor, driven by a desire to save lives and serve others, just as his father once served in the mission field. He also hopes to one day help out-of-school children return to education and provide shelter for those in need. His story stands as a powerful testimony of how education, care, and compassion can transform tragedy into purpose.

Through Hasken Arewa Foundation, Steven is no longer defined by loss, but by hope, resilience, and possibility.

Maryam is a cheerful 10-year-old girl from Bagudo Local Government Area of Kebbi State, born into a devoted missionary family. For generations, her grandparents and parents have served faithfully in ministry, dedicating their lives to helping others. However, despite their strong faith and commitment to service, Maryam’s family faced serious financial hardship.

Maryam was once enrolled in a missionary school in Jos, where she showed great promise and enthusiasm for learning. Unfortunately, as economic challenges increased, her father, who works as a missionary, could no longer afford her school fees or basic educational needs. With no financial support and limited options, Maryam was forced to drop out of school, and her dream of education was suddenly put on hold. At such a young age, she faced the painful reality that many children in Northern Nigeria experience: being willing to learn, but unable to continue due to poverty.

Then Hasken Arewa Foundation stepped in.

Through our education support program, Maryam was given a second chance at learning. She was enrolled at E.M.S Community School, Maje Bargu, where she is currently in Primary 1. With the provision of school fees, learning materials, and consistent support, Maryam was able to return to the classroom with joy and confidence.

Today, Maryam is a bright, creative, and expressive child who loves reading, handwriting, and learning through technology. She dreams of becoming a doctor and is deeply passionate about helping out-of-school children return to education. Her desire to give back is already taking root, even at such a young age.

Maryam’s story reflects the heart of Hasken Arewa Foundation, restoring access to education, protecting children’s futures, and turning hardship into opportunity. One child, once forced out of school by poverty, is now back on the path to purpose.

Yusuf Ezra is a 14-year-old boy from Kebbi State, Nigeria, whose life reflects the quiet strength and resilience of a child determined to rise above hardship. Born into a family struggling with deep poverty, Yusuf’s early years were marked by financial uncertainty and daily survival. Although he had a strong desire to learn, his parents were eventually forced to make the painful decision to withdraw him from school because they simply could not afford the costs.

For Yusuf, this meant watching his dreams slowly fade as he remained at home while other children continued their education. Like many vulnerable children in rural Northern Nigeria, his future was at risk of being permanently shaped by poverty, through no fault of his own.

But hope found Yusuf through the intervention of Hasken Arewa Foundation.

Through our education support program, Yusuf was given the opportunity to return to school at Pisabu Nursery and Primary School, where he is currently rebuilding his academic foundation in Nursery 1. With school fees, learning materials, and consistent encouragement now in place, Yusuf is once again in the classroom—learning, growing, and believing in his future.

Today, Yusuf is a determined and hopeful young boy with big dreams. He wants to become a doctor, graduate from school, and one day help out-of-school children return to education. His aspiration to also own a home and create stability for his future family reflects his longing for security and dignity, things poverty once denied him.

Yusuf’s journey is a powerful reminder of what happens when a second chance meets opportunity. Through the support of Hasken Arewa Foundation, a child once pushed out of school by poverty is now walking confidently back toward purpose, education, and a brighter tomorrow.