"His eyes are set on the future: playing soccer on a team and becoming a doctor, so he can offer other children the care and support he knows they need.”

With the World Cup kicking off this summer, children around the world will be cheering for their favorite teams, dreaming of scoring the winning goal. For one boy in Yemen, that dream burns just as brightly.

At 11 years old, Ayman often imagines the roar of a stadium as he kicks a ball through the crowded streets of Al Safeya, Yemen. After losing his father, the family’s only provider, even the simplest joys of childhood felt unattainable. He and his siblings shared a single guest room in their grandparents’ home, where meeting basic needs was a constant challenge.

But eight years ago, your generosity began rewriting his story.

 Through Baitulmaal’s Orphan Sponsorship Program, his family received the support they desperately needed, food on the table, clothes to wear, and school fees covered. This kindness lifted a heavy burden from his grandparents and gave Ayman the chance to focus not on survival, but on simply being a child again.

But his story doesn’t stop there. Despite the challenges he faced, his leadership and determination continued to shine. He dreamed of joining a local soccer club and learning English, passions that once seemed impossible. Soccer has always been his favorite hobby, and he would play for hours in the dusty streets with his friends, imagining what it would feel like to wear a Real Madrid jersey. 

Moved by Ayman’s resilience, his sponsor stepped forward once again, providing additional support to cover soccer club fees and English lessons, to keep learning, growing, and believing in a brighter future. Inspired by the positive changes they saw in Ayman’s life, the same donor also chose to sponsor his nine-year-old brother, extending the same care, stability, and opportunity to another child in the family.

Today, Ayman is attending school, proudly training at a local soccer club, and inspires his siblings with his perseverance. His smile is brighter than ever — proof of the difference your compassion makes.

“Thank you for standing with us. The sponsorship has made a difference in our lives, especially for Ayman’s emotional well-being and self-confidence", said Ayman's mother.