Reflections on the First Week of Coaching.

I’ve just completed the first week of coaching with an inspiring group of 18 young individuals – 10 amazing women and 8 incredible men – all between the ages of 22 and 29. Each one of them is from Yemen, a country where conflict and instability have become a daily reality. Despite the backdrop of hardship, these young people showed up with open hearts, hungry for growth, and willing to reflect deeply on who they are and who they want to become.

Each coaching session was held individually and designed specifically around the participant’s unique story. We explored their lives in depth – their identities, struggles, fears, and most importantly, their dreams. For many, it was the first time they had been asked to look 10 years ahead – to imagine a future beyond the limitations of their current reality. They were invited to draw, write, or even build a vision of their future selves: What will they be doing? What will they have accomplished? What kind of life do they hope to live?

The responses were moving, creative, and often heartbreaking. These young people are full of energy and potential, but they carry a heavy burden – living in a place where dreaming can feel like an act of rebellion. In a land torn by conflict, hopelessness often becomes the norm, and imagining a different future is not only rare but painfully difficult. Yet, they did it. They dreamed – boldly, vulnerably, and with incredible honesty.

This first week reminded me of the quiet resilience that lives in places too often dismissed as lost. It affirmed that even in the darkest of environments, the human spirit still seeks light. These young Yemenis are not just survivors; they are visionaries, creators, and potential changemakers. They simply need the space to be seen, heard, and supported.

I’m deeply honored to walk alongside them in this journey. And I look forward to witnessing how their stories evolve – and how their dreams, despite everything, begin to take root.