Yeslum is no stranger to hard work. The conflict in Yemen forced him to leave school and shoulder the responsibility of supporting his family. With his parents unable to provide due to the economic crisis, Yeslum, as the oldest of four siblings, had to step in. “As the primary breadwinner, I always felt a huge sense of responsibility,” he recalls. “I often felt powerless, fearing for my family's safety and feeling unable to find a solution to protect them. I have a big family—my parents, three brothers, and a sister. I had to put my family’s needs first and could no longer afford to study. Finding work was tough because of the crisis. It was a very difficult time.”
Initially, Yeslum took on any work he could find, assisting masons and carpenters throughout Shibam. The grueling labor taught him valuable skills and fostered a deep respect for the city’s architecture. His turning point came when he joined the UNESCO EU-funded project Cash for Work: Promoting Livelihood Opportunities for Urban Youth in Yemen, in 2018. For the first time, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. The project not only equipped him with rehabilitation skills but also reignited his hope for a better future. With each brick he lays, Yeslum rebuilds not just Shibam, but also a brighter path for himself and his family.
“I did not have any perspective in life—only one thing, how to survive. We were not making any plans because we could not see the future. I worked in construction for many years, it was exhausting, physically and mentally. There were days when the sun was unbearable, and the work seemed never-ending, but I had no choice. My only thought was to make it to the next day, just to keep going for my family,” Yeslum reflects. "But joining this project gave me hope. It gave me something to look forward to, a sense of purpose. Now, each brick I lay is not just about making ends meet; it is about building a future I can finally envision—not just for myself, but for my entire family and my community."
Full of enthusiasm, Yeslum embraced every opportunity to learn and quickly mastered new skills. “I learned how to identify issues with the buildings, how to stabilize them, and how to solve structural problems,” he says. “But the most important skill I gained was scaffolding work, which is essential for restoring these tall, historic structures.” Mastering scaffolding allowed him to safely access difficult areas and to ensure the meticulous completion of restoration tasks. This newfound expertise gave Yeslum a sense of confidence that had been missing when he started. Initially, he felt inferior to his more experienced colleagues, doubting his capabilities. “When I first joined the project, I felt like I was just trying to keep up,” he recalls. “But as I learned and applied new skills, I realized I could do the work just as well as anyone else.” Within months, Yeslum advanced from a junior builder to a skilled craftsman, earning respect from his peers. “Confidence is one of the biggest changes I have experienced,” he says. “Now, I know I can lead a team of young builders. I have the skills, and I believe in myself as a master builder who can guide others.”
During the project, Yeslum rehabilitated eight houses, including his own family home. Their house had suffered extensive damage due to the conflict and ongoing exposure to seasonal rains, leaving it in deplorable condition and in need of urgent intervention. When it was selected as part of the rehabilitation project, it brought immense relief to Yeslum and his loved ones. “The constant fear of my family being at risk had vanished,” Yeslum explains. “I could finally feel that they were living in a safe home” This reassurance came at a critical time, especially with his younger sister's wedding approaching. The newly rehabilitated home allowed his family to prepare for the celebration with joy. “Our home means a great deal to us. We have had a deep connection to this house since childhood, and it was difficult to consider leaving it and renting elsewhere due to our inability to afford repairs. Now, we feel a great sense of relief, knowing we can stay in the home that holds so many memories and positive emotions.”
Since 2018, Yeslum has been part of the UNESCO EU-funded project, which has grown into a larger eight-year initiative, including the ongoing "Youth Employment through Heritage and Culture in Yemen" project (2022-2026). Throughout this journey, Yeslum has been dedicated to restoring and protecting Yemen's cultural heritage, contributing his skills and passion to every aspect of the work. “This project has given me a sense of direction and allowed me to see possibilities for the future that I never thought possible," he shares. "I hope initiatives like this will continue—not only to preserve Yemen's rich heritage but also to inspire our youth, create needed job opportunities, and foster skill development." For Yeslum, each brick he lays represents more than just preservation—it embodies hope and the promise of a better future for himself, his family, and his community.
Despite his achievements and rapid professional development, Yeslum continues to face challenges due to societal traditions and biases related to his young age. “For our association of mud-brick master builders, it is hard to accept someone my age as a master builder, even though I have the skills,” he says. In Shibam, authority and recognition are often tied to age, making it difficult for Yeslum to be fully acknowledged by his peers. “It is believed that only those above 45 or 50 should be allowed to do scaffolding work,” Yeslum explains. “They think it is too demanding and dangerous for younger builders, but I disagree.” For Yeslum, passion, dedication, and skill are what determine a builder’s capability, not age.
The project has provided Yeslum with a sense of stability and hope, securing his future for at least a few more years. But for him, this work is about more than just mastering building techniques—it is about breaking down barriers and challenging old norms. “With every structure I restore, I am proving that talent and commitment are not confined by age,” Yeslum reflects. “I want young people to see that they can achieve anything if they put their heart into it. I am not just restoring buildings; I am building a future for all of us—a future where youth have a place, where we are trusted, and where our skills are recognized and valued.” He is paving the way for a new generation in Yemen, ready to restore their heritage and shape a brighter future.
